Radiance

Woah. This is a truly weird story. I don't know that is good weird or bad weird, but it certainly a trip. The author's vision of her universe is awe inspiring, and the scenes are painted with an enviable grasp of language.

Having said all that, I don't yet know if this is a good story. You need considerable staying power to get beyond the first 25% of the book, which is like being hit across the head with a wad of genres. It is not until the final 25% that is finally starts to come together, and even then there is a feeling that you are witnessing something great but lack sufficient understanding to comprehend it.

In some respects this reminds me of 2001 - the movie rather than the book. There are hints of a similar, largely unexplained “evolution of conciousness”, although I think the imagination on display in Radiance makes the journey of man from Ape to Star Child seem positively staid.

I'll give this 4 stars, since this is genuinely a unique example of story telling, however I am still not sure I really know what is going on.