A book review

I have just finished a remarkable novel. While I did not start this blog to review what I read, I like this one enough to want it shared.
LIFELODE by Jo Walton
NEFSA Press, Framingham, MA
hard cover
published February, 2009
ISBN - 1: 1-886778-82-5 other versions are available

The first thing I noticed about LIFELODE was the language. It is as simple as a peasant farmer's narrative would be. But imbedded in that language are words and concepts that were irresistible to me. First was the thought of a world in which the use of a force (yeya) is easier in one direction than another. Where it is easy, people join with gods. Where difficult, without the use of this force, people would become as automatons. Time is also different in the two directions, moving slowly in one and quickly in the other. The story is based in a village located between the two extremes.

While the story is essentially a fantasy, there are strong elements of science fiction in it. The world in which it takes place is Not Here. Things work differently. There are strong hints that people (or beings) from outside it made the world and then migrated to it. It is also theorized that when the originators came, they were gods and people slowly moved away from them, in the process having less yeya to use, but more independence of thought... to a point.

I mentioned language. I confess that I was hooked by the first paragraph. But I was wowed by part of an exchange explaining just what Lifelode was:
"...It's how you survive, how you put food on the table, and beyond that it's what moves your soul. It's not just the lode of your life, the seam you will mine, and not just the direction your life points in, it's also the load you'll carry through it. It isn't something you can just work out in a minute..."

The story is told in a present, but flexible tense. Things logically move into past perceptions and events. People see shadows of both past and future. That is a part of what makes the characterization so strong. By the end of the first chapter, I was involved in the lives of two of the major characters. By the end of the fourth, I was concerned with the entire extended family.

The plot takes the family and pushes three characters into it. First is the former lady of the manor, great-grandmother to the present lord. She left the family to go east where time goes slowly and learn yeya. She returns with a secret that is pursuing her. The second is a scholar who loves women easily and falls in love with two of the family wives. The third is a priest of a god pursuing the first and ruthlessly using anyone she can to accomplish her mission. She uses the scholar to sow discord into the family. When she is defeated, the goddess sends an heir of a former lord with armed men to reclaim what he believes to be his birthright.

It is more complicated than that, and more enchanting. But each word, each sentence solidifies the characters and adds to the story. This is the first book of Jo Walton's I have read. I'm going to buy and read everything of hers I can find.

Off to see the wizard

Every year, about this time science fiction and fantasy fans get together for the world science fiction convention (Worldcon). This year it has been named Anticipation and will be held in Montreal the first weekend in August
If you've never been to a science fiction convention (con), let me tell you a little about them. For the most part, they are gatherings of people with similar interests in literature. But the science part always works its way into the program. There is a set program with speakers who are knowledgeable about the subjects from alternate universes to zygotes and lots of fun stuff in between. There are even panels on being a science fiction fan and retrospectives on fandom and fannish events. There is also dress up. Fans come in costume. They compete in a masquerade. The costumes are usually terrific.



Then there are the parties. Almost every con has a hospitality area where they serve soda and snacks. Sometimes there is beer. But the parties usually are the most active. People throw parties for almost any reason, eg. they found a new drink they want to share, they want fans to come to the con they are organizing, they like parties, etcetera. At Worldcon many of the parties are given by people who are bidding on the site of a future Worldcon. I'm guessing that the ostensible reason is to show the fans how great their city is for people and for parties. The future Worldcon site is chosen at the Worldcon two years before that site will be used. The con is always in a different city from the year before. The rules say that not all these cons may be held in the US.
This year, Worldcon is in Montreal. So tomorrow I head in a generally north easterly direction and hope I hit the Canadian border fairly close to Province Quebec.
I love to drive so the distance isn't a bother. But I do have to get to Montreal a little ahead of the con so I can help out with the setting up. There is a regular cadre of people from all over the world who attend every Worldcon. They participate, working behind the scenes, organizing and running errands for the locals in charge of the con. A lot of these people, I only get to see every year or even less frequently since all are not able to get to every Worldcon.
Along with friends and folk with similar interests, there are things like the art show and the guests in media, writing, publishing and the like. They participate on the panels, give demonstrations and make themselves available to fans who want to know more about them and what they do. It interesting. I've met some of the famous authors who were reputed to be curmudgeons and have had nothing but pleasant conversations with them.
The community of fans is one of the most intelligent and tolerant that I've ever met. Spending time with them is a pleasure, one that I'm looking forward to having in the next few days.