A Memory Called Empire

Overview: A beautifully written book that combines some of the best aspects of Science Fiction. An outstanding debut book from an author with huge promise.On 1st Reading: I came away from this book with a feeling of satisfaction, wonder and fascination. This is a book from a new author, one that is clearly both skilled and knowledgeable. Who does she remind me of? There are many passages in which the writing is just beautiful, and gently guides the reader into pondering the nature of society, culture and preconceptions. In this, perhaps more than any other author, she reminds me of the peerless [a:Ursula K. Le Guin 874602 Ursula K. Le Guin https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244291425p2/874602.jpg].In other areas the writing can be stark, evoking the harsh beauty of the cosmos. The author also raises deep questions about technology, how we interact with it and what this means for our identity and the nature of humanity. In both these areas she strongly reminded me of [a:Alastair Reynolds 51204 Alastair Reynolds https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1521740247p2/51204.jpg], one of the best SF writers of today.As someone who has enjoyed reading some...older books, I felt many passages and themes echoed with Heroditus, Thucydides, Plutarch, Diodorus Siculus and Procopius. After one particular passage in which the main character is presented to the Emperor and has to consider how to balance her cultural aversion to bowing with the expectation that she should prostrate herself, I read up about the author and was utterly blown away by the breadth of her scholarly background. This rich knowledge has clearly come through in her writing, giving a believability and a depth that you can really feel to the world that she has created.So yes, the writing reminds me of all these things, yet there is something else there too. I feel that Ms Martine has learned from the best that literature offers, but she has brought something new. It is true that there are threads that remind me of some of the best books out there - but there are novel ideas and a special style that clearly 100% Arkady Martine, something hard to pin down, but spicy, floral and wonderful.As a debut work this is frankly staggering.On 2nd Reading: I reread this ahead of the release of the sequel. I found it just as meaningful and well written as the first time around. Knowing what would happen I was able to relax and appreciate the authors skill in blending genres, and in the little details - particularly in the frankly beautiful handling of the relationship between Mahit and Three Seagrass, in a different way between Yskandr and Six Direction. (Being a softy I'm desperate for Mahit and Seagrass to get together!). This is a fantastic book, it stands on its own, but I am very much looking forward to the sequel.I am moving straight into [b:A Desolation Called Peace 45154547 A Desolation Called Peace (Teixcalaan, #2) Arkady Martine https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1591755604l/45154547.SY75.jpg 61309907].