I loved The Crimson Petal and the White by Michael Faber - I mean really, really loved it and was eager to read his new novel. But it was about an intergalactic Missionary... This didn't sound like it would be up my street at all... I picked it up with a view to read a few pages and validate that it wasn't my kind of thing and guess what? It was amazing! It was one of those books that I found myself thinking about when I wasn't reading it. I couldn't wait to pick it up and lose myself in it!
The Book of Strange New Things is set in the not too distant future and tells of Peter who is chosen as a missionary to travel to the recently discovered planet of Oasis and preach to the newly converted native Oaseans.
Whilst Peter easily settles into his life on Oasis, forms bonds with the other humans who work there for the mysterious corporation USIC and grows to love the native Oaseans, his close relationship with his wife Bea unravels. Bea has remained on earth for the duration of his voyage and is deeply troubled by an escalating series of natural disasters and civil unrest. Can Peter make his way back home and save his wife and their relationship or has his involvement with the Oaseans overtaken his life...
It's a very unusual book. I hesitate to call it Science Fiction as there is so much to this tale. It's very thought provoking, wonderfully written and although it's a long book (550 pages) it is well paced and the the story is enthralling to the end.
It's really not the kind if thing I expected to find myself liking but I loved it. It was though provoking and a joy to read.
Recommended.
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