Polystom Book

A novel by Adam Roberts. Eligible for the 2003-4 OUSFG Award.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0575075414/

"Adam Roberts' fourth novel is his most ambitious yet. In a feat of extraordinary world building he creates a universe where a breathable atmosphere extends out between the planets, where aristocrats cruise interstellar space in biplanes and skywhals make mysterious distant orbits. Then, with bravura plotting, he undermines our own notions of reality and leaves the reader unsure which universe to believe in. Gaining a reputation as one of the UK's leading SF stylists and masters of the high-concept, Roberts, shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke award with his debut novel SALT, confirms his extraordinary potential with POLYSTOM?.

I rather liked this; one of Roberts better novels, definitely. It's a bit uneven, and the ending could be cruelly described as Greg Egan-lite, but there are some really nice bits. Well, 'nice'; Roberts characters are generally pretty unpleasant people, and this lot are no exception. -- NH