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The Blue, Beautiful World
- Author
- Karen Lord
- Narrator
- Robin Miles
- Publisher
- Orion
- Publish Date
- 31 August 2023
- Run Time
- 9 hours 37 minutes
- Format
- x-book®
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What to expect
'This complex, engaging novel takes an unusual approach to the classic trope of aliens in our midst, with a warmth and intelligence reminiscent of Ursula K Le Guin'
GUARDIAN
The world is changing, and humanity must change with it. Rising seas and soaring temperatures have radically transformed the face of Earth. Meanwhile, Earth is being observed from afar by other civilizations . . . and now they are ready to make contact.
Vying to prepare humanity for first contact are a group of dreamers and changemakers, including Peter Hendrix, the genius inventor behind the most advanced VR tech; Charyssa, a beloved celebrity icon with a passion for humanitarian work; and Kanoa, a member of a global council of young people drafted to reimagine the relationship between humankind and alien societies.
And they may have an unexpected secret weapon: Owen, a pop megastar whose ability to connect with his adoring fans is more than charisma. His hidden talent could be the key to uniting Earth as it looks toward the stars.
But Owen's abilities are so unique that no one can control him and so seductive that he cannot help but use them. Can he transcend his human limitations and find the freedom he has always dreamed of? Or is he doomed to become the dictator of his nightmares?
A visionary science fiction novel set a century into our future against a familiar backdrop of rising seas and climate crisis, The Blue, Beautiful World fuses a propulsive first contact adventure with a profoundly hopeful ode to the power of human connection as a genius inventor, a beloved celebrity, a young activist, and a pop megastar are brought together to forge a new path into the future.
'Gorgeously detailed' DAILY MAIL
'Wildly original' MARTHA WELLS
'Essential reading' SAMIT BASU
'Thoughtful and dreamlike' TESSA GRATTON
'A gorgeous, wise tale' ANNALEE NEWITZ
'Beautifully-crafted' KATE ELLIOTT
'A cracking high-stakes story' MALKA OLDER
Critics Review
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This is the thrilling, cerebral, empathetic, and hopeful speculative fiction the world absolutely needs-now and always
Samit Basu
-
A complex story of first contact from a unique perspective that is warm, engaging, and wildly original
Martha Wells
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Karen Lord
- Narrator
- Robin Miles
- Duration
- 9 hours 37 minutes
- Release Date
- 31 August 2023
- ISBN
- 9781399618908
- Format
- x-book®
- Publisher
- Orion
- Genre
- Science fiction, Science fiction: aliens / UFOs, Science fiction: space opera
Synopsis
LONGLISTED FOR THE WOMEN'S PRIZE FOR FICTION 2024'This complex, engaging novel takes an unusual approach to the classic trope of aliens in our midst, with a warmth and intelligence reminiscent of Ursula K Le Guin'GUARDIANThe world is changing, and humanity must change with it. Rising seas and soaring temperatures have radically transformed the face of Earth. Meanwhile, Earth is being observed from afar by other civilizations . . . and now they are ready to make contact.Vying to prepare humanity for first contact are a group of dreamers and changemakers, including Peter Hendrix, the genius inventor behind the most advanced VR tech; Charyssa, a beloved celebrity icon with a passion for humanitarian work; and Kanoa, a member of a global council of young people drafted to reimagine the relationship between humankind and alien societies.And they may have an unexpected secret weapon: Owen, a pop megastar whose ability to connect with his adoring fans is more than charisma. His hidden talent could be the key to uniting Earth as it looks toward the stars.But Owen's abilities are so unique that no one can control him and so seductive that he cannot help but use them. Can he transcend his human limitations and find the freedom he has always dreamed of? Or is he doomed to become the dictator of his nightmares?A visionary science fiction novel set a century into our future against a familiar backdrop of rising seas and climate crisis, The Blue, Beautiful World fuses a propulsive first contact adventure with a profoundly hopeful ode to the power of human connection as a genius inventor, a beloved celebrity, a young activist, and a pop megastar are brought together to forge a new path into the future.'Gorgeously detailed' DAILY MAIL'Wildly original' MARTHA WELLS'Essential reading' SAMIT BASU'Thoughtful and dreamlike' TESSA GRATTON'A gorgeous, wise tale' ANNALEE NEWITZ'Beautifully-crafted' KATE ELLIOTT'A cracking high-stakes story' MALKA OLDER
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