Name: Bios
ISBN: 9781429915403

Robert Charles Wilson

Bios

Janice Hopper

Full disclosure: I picked up this book because of another Goodreads review (from Scott, who gives GREAT reviews. I'm jealous.)

I think of Robert Charles Wilson as a dependable writer. He comes up with interesting ideas and works through them in interesting ways.

Here the Big Ideas are 1) a really, REALLY toxic planet and 2) life in the universe.

There's an outpost on the planet Isis. Isis is the toxic planet. A human who has even a short exposure to the atmosphere/organisms of Isis can expect a rapid and painful death and deliquescence as their cells are broken down and destroyed. And the planetary organisms are getting better and better at attacking the seals that keep the humans somewhat safe on the surface of the planet. 

Into this mix comes Zoe, who's the last living part of a clone group. Zoe is basically on Isis to test a new kind of environment suit plus physical modifications to allow the humans to move more safely on the planet's surface. Basically, she's a guinea pig, a test subject. Woven around her and Isis are the planet's administrator, a bureaucrat who is trying to keep his status by keeping bad news away from his superiors; Zoe's (unknown to her) lack of an implant that smooths her emotions, so she's experiencing FEELINGS now; the cascading collapse of installations on the planet; etc.

This was a really interesting book to think about. One thing that boggled me a little: this world has access to almost instantaneous travel, but it requires the destruction of an asteroid or similar planetesimal to accomplish it. Not easy OR cheap, which makes you wonder why they've spent so much time and money on a planet that is so hostile to human life. Sunk cost fallacy, maybe? Sure, there's lots of life there, but WE CAN'T LIVE THERE. At least, not in the short term.

There's no big happy Star Rangers Save the DAY!! ending. But is does have a way of making you think about life and its place in the universe. I liked it.

Bios

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