Evolution's Shore
Ratings2
Average rating5
15
Ratings2
Average rating5
A meteorite falls on Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro and the area is transformed into a new world which provides the local inhabitants with all the necessities of life, as well as immortality. The story is told by an Irish woman reporter who is sent to investigate the meteorite.
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3 primary booksChaga is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 1995 with contributions by Ian McDonald.
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I don't know if I've ever read a book more beautifully written, science fiction or not. McDonald makes liberal use of metaphors in this book, it's almost necessary considering the subject matter. He manages to convey a sense of awe and wonder while simultaneously apologizing for it's inadequacy. You walk away with a sense of how wondrous and different the Chaga is, wishing to be able to see it for yourself.
Gaby McAslan resonates for me as the main character. She is much of what I wish I were and I get lost in her life as she chases (or rather is chased by) the encroaching alien life form spreading across the African continent. She is ambitious and sometimes almost single mindedly driven...but there's a human side to her too, with vulnerabilities not unlike the rest of us. The Chaga has been her purpose for her entire career and simultaneously stimulates her and terrifies her. Hard to blame her actually.
I was sad to reach the end of this book.
Oh, and it's very quotable. I had to have a notebook close by while reading. I often needed to write down a quote for future reference/blatant plaigerism.
