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The Book of Strange New Things
- Kate Hubbard
- Oct 15, 2016
- 2 min read
The thin divide between deism and cynicism is brought to light in this beautifully told story of instersteller faith, love and spiritualism.
Author: Michael Faber
Genre: Science Fiction/ Literary Fiction
Pages: 528
Recommended to: People who believe. And people who do not believe...in anything.
Song: "Across the Universe" by The Beatles
Sci-fi Meets Religion
Who are we? Why are we here? Why do bad things happen to good people? This book brings these concerns to the surface and shows just how universal they are. Successful reverend Peter Lee is chosen to serve a mission to the planet of Oasis, where he finds a congregation of natives obsessed with the Bible (a.k.a. The Book of Strange New Things), Jesus Christ, and eternal life.
As he throws himself into his new calling, Peter starts receiving messages from his wife on Earth. She reports about cataclysmic natural disasters, fallen governments, and personal heartbreak.
This story is strongly reminiscent of Orson Scott Card's "Speaker for the Dead". It is told in flowing, beautiful prose with fantastic descriptions of the geographic, emotional and spiritual landscape. It's a tale so beautiful, I had to include this alternate cover.
This book shows the thin divide between ultimate deism and strong cynicism.
I did find that the book lent itself too readily to the already-created experience of interstellar travel and the distance that comes with it.
In Good Times and in Poor
Anyone in a relationship wonders how much stress and turmoil their bond can take. It seems like the minute Peter leaves, bad things start to happen to Bea. In my heart, I want a loving reunion of the couple, but my internal worries were brought to the surface. If the world were to end, I have every hope I would have my husband by my side. What would I do if he was there in spirit, but physically?
As Bea says, "I miss living through the visible moments of life with you. Without you at my side, I feel as though my eyes are just a camera." Poor Bea.
True Religion
Though Peter is the one on the mission, his wife Bea is the true Christian. Peter cares about the people he serves, but there is also something self-serving in his thoughts. Bea truly thinks of others needs and goes out of her way to help them. Peter has more stamina and Bea has more passion. Together they make an unstoppable team.
Audiobook
Narrator Josh Cohen does an amazing job! His garbled, gargley voices for the aliens is just distorted enough to be other-worldly, but clear enough to be understood. I could not have created this accent so well in my mind.
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