Carnival (Bear novel)
Author | Elizabeth Bear |
---|---|
Audio read by | Celeste Ciulla |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Genre | Science fiction |
Publisher | Bantam Spectra |
Publication date | November 28, 2006 |
Media type | |
Pages | 393 |
LC Class | CPB Box no. 2689 vol. 7 |
Carnival is a 2006
Setting
In the future, control of the preservation of interplanetary natural resources has been given over to ecological
Plot
A diplomatic mission to the matriarchal planet New Amazonia reunites ex-lovers Vincent Katherinessen and Michelangelo Kusanagi-Jones after a separation of 17 years. Arriving in the capital city of Penthesilea, the men are ostensibly repatriating looted artwork, but in truth the ambassador-spies have been tasked with obtaining the Amazonians' secret energy technology by any means necessary, and doing what they can to facilitate a Coalition conquest. However, both Vincent (a master of observation) and Angelo (a trained liar and fighter) each have hidden plans to undermine their own mission. Meanwhile, multiple factions among the Amazonians are engaged in covert political intrigues rooted in the gender dynamics of their society.[1][2][3]
Characters
- Vincent Katherinessen, OECC senior diplomat, originally from the planet Ur
- Michelangelo Kusanagi-Jones, Vincent's attaché and former partner, born on Old Earth
- Lesa Praetoria, deputy chief of Security Directorate of New Amazonia
- Claude Singapore, Prime Minister of New Amazonia
- Maiju Montevideo, Claude's wife
- Elena Pretoria, Lesa's mother
- Katya Pretoria, Lesa's daughter
- Julian Pretoria, Lesa's son
- Robert, the father of Lesa's children
- Kii, an alien intelligence residing in Penthesilea
Themes
Annalee Newitz of io9 explained that, faced with strict population controls, the Earth-centric humans in Carnival have become obsessed with reproduction, and have outlawed homosexuality as directly opposing this function.[1] She wrote that "Bear's idea that an eco-regime like this would breed conservatism rather than progressivism is really quite smart", and praised the author's "careful attention to how ideologies might evolve over time".[1] Paul Kincaid of SF Site noted that Vincent and Michelangelo "are homosexuals from a world whose regressive and repressive mores mean that this could get them killed, but for the fact that they are exceptionally well-skilled at their job and also well-practiced in deception".[2] Of the New Amazonian civilization, Newitz wrote:
[Carnival is] a novel where all the traditional ideas of liberal science fiction like matriarchies and ecotopias are turned on their heads. When lesbians rule a planet, they don't create peace and harmony: they become obsessed with guns and honor and dueling. They enslave all men (except homosexuals, whom they call "gentles"), using them to breed and for labor. And they engage in brutal guerilla warfare to gain power in government.[1]
Explaining that the Amazonian women subjugate their men as a means to diffuse the potential of male aggression, Kincaid compared the matriarchal premise to "the feminist science fiction of twenty or perhaps thirty years ago".[2] Joe Tokamak of The Internet Review of Science Fiction called the novel "a fantasy of societal alternatives reminiscent of the sixties or seventies" and yet "fresh, sophisticated material".[3] He also noted how Bear's contrast of the societal differences between the New Amazonians and their visitors initiates conflict that evolves as the characters interact.[3]
Critical reception
In 2007, Carnival was nominated for a
Newitz wrote that the novel "manages to do what so few SF novels can ... it offers an intriguing, intellectually-rewarding glimpse at one human possible future while also telling a rip-roaring yarn."
References
- ^ a b c d e f Newitz, Annalee (May 6, 2008). "Environmental Fascists Fight Gun-Loving Lesbians for Alien Technology". io9. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e f Kincaid, Paul (2007). "Carnival by Elizabeth Bear". SF Site. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e Tokamak, Joe (March 2007). "Review: Carnival by Elizabeth Bear". The Internet Review of Science Fiction. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ "Online News: Philip K. Dick Award Finalists (2007)". Locus. January 7, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ "Online News: Locus Awards Finalists (2007)". Locus. April 20, 2007. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ Cerna, Antonio Gonzalez (April 30, 2006). "19th Annual Lambda Literary Awards". Lambda Literary Foundation. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- Tor.com. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
- ^ Martin, Tomas L. (January 3, 2007). "Carnival by Elizabeth Bear". SF Crowsnest. Archived from the original on February 4, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2016.
External links
- Carnival title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database