Celestial Matters

James Jordan · 24 Apr 2003, 18:59 · from urth-v0304.mbox · original

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From: James Jordan <jbjordan4 at cox.net>
Subject: (urth) Celestial Matters
Date: Thu, 24 Apr 2003 13:59:04 -0500
Message-ID: <urth-v0304-3312 at digest.urth.net>
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I wrote:

>>and there was that excellent novel a few years back, *Celestial Matters*=20
>>by Richard Garfinkle -- a Lupine treat -- that was set in a=20
>>Ptolemaic/Platonic universe.)

I just want to second this. No, it's not complex in the Wolfean way, but I=20
think most Lupinists (esp. Latroists) will enjoy it. It's unique, as far as=20
I know, and it's fully worked out. Here is part of a short review I wrote=20
for a Christian audience:

     Here is a novel of "hard science fiction" set in an alternate universe=20
wherein the Greek view of the universe is real. The earth is at the center,=20
and everything revolves around it in Ptolemaic cycles and epicycles. A piec=
e of
moon has been captured and fitted out as a space-travelling
platform. Naturally (!), this piece of the moon wants to return to its=20
proper place in the sky, for it "loves" the rest of the moon. The mission's=20
purpose: to capture a piece of sun for the Greeks to use in their ongoing=20
war with the Middle Kingdom (China). A well-known scientist, Aias, captains=20
the mission, accompanied by a lovely Sparta-trained Xeroki (Cherokee)=20
bodyguard.
        What makes this novel unique is its portrayal of ancient
science and philosophy. Garfinkle knows his stuff, and by the time
we are finished, we know a lot of it also. We also learn about
ancient Chinese science and Xi (Chi) forces. There's even a bit of Plato.
        There's nothing "Christian" about this novel, except that it
IS a novel and as such reflects the way narrative has developed in=20
Christendom. But it is a lot of fun, and educational as well. I
particularly enjoyed it when Aias emerges from a lunar cave as his moonrock=20
space platform travels near the sun, and ... but I must not say more.
        Of course, there are lots of adventures along the way, as
Chinese spies try to prevent the moon-ship from taking a piece of
the sun, and as Aias comes to learn more about the nature of
"reality" in this world. And we see a clean and refined romantic
relationship develop between Aias and Yellow Hare, his Xeroki
bodyguard. I found the narrative well-paced, and completely clean
of anything objectionable in the areas of language and sexuality, hence=20
suitable for younger readers.

Nutria


--=20

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