Darwinia: A Novel of a Very Different Twentieth Century

Darwinia was really amusing, for the first quarter at least. I loved the world which Wilson created to take over Europe. It kept me guessing at every page I turned. Unfortunately most of the book had nothing to do with the nature. Instead it turned into some twisted sci-fi novel. Sci-Fi is good, but it just didn't entertain me as much as the fantasy section of the novel did. Wilson has a remarkable writing skill, and the way he manipulates words is impressive. I recommend this book even though I gave it a 60% approval rating.

This book was a Hugo Finalist, and you can see while reading it why it both did so well, and why it didn't win. The book starts as a large section of Europe suddenly changes into an untamed wilderness of different plants and animals, as if two different realities have collided together.

Wilson's style of writing, at points, is absolutely incredible. The journal entries fall into this catagory, and could have made a story on their own. Unfortunately, at other points, you have the feeling he was only writing the scene because he was forced to. Some characters are highly developed, only to later drift off into unimportant roles for the book's climax. And at one point, the book makes such a drastic change that one wonder's if the structure would have been better off as two books (like the Hyperion and Fall of Hyperion) instead of one.

Don't let the above fool you: with a great book, it's easier to pick out little faults than with a so-so book. I have lent this book out to a dozen friends by now.

Keep an eye out for Wilson; from the books and short fiction I have read by him, I think his praises are not sung nearly as much as they should be.

With explicit references to Verne, Burroughs,and Wells, "Darwinia" attempts to translate the trope of the riverine journey to the dark centre into a metaphysical and cybernetic meditation on moral choice. Replete with vivid imagery and original speculation, it collapses somewhat under the weight of its ambition as it strives for closure. Themes suggested by Lovecraft and Zelazny (in "Lord of Light" ) reappear in an occasionally chilling,if uneven, plot development. Overall, a startling example of the American need to continually redefine itself in relation to Europe and its capacity for chaos.

In March of 1912, the Miracle happened upon the world. Over the course of a night, a large portion of Europe had disappeared, and in its place existed a new world filled with never-before-seen creatures, vegetation and mysteries. It's up to the Finch expedition to uncover the secrets of this new world, and possibly the foundation of reality as we know it! This Hugo Award finalist and winner of the Philip K. Dick Award is a sensational story, with depths of character, philosophy and adventure rivaled by few. By far one of the best titles of this genre.