Slow Gods

What a mind Claire North has! She has very incisive powers of observation and tremendous ability to wrap her ideas in super compelling novels. Her books have breadth and depth and psychological density.

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This one spans centuries, ponders the meaning of life, and includes very-well imagined races of humans and one unusual man who is immortal.

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The novel begins with the protagonist struggling to live in a dystopian, hyper-capitalist society called the Shine, where scars are indicators of status, children are often born into debt, and Ventures use that debt to keep most of society indentured servants. It’s a society where profit and power matter much more than life.

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These same officers had, for every one of theirs who’d died, ordered the execution of ten more, but that was just business. That was just war. If only their enemies would understand, if only they’d get it into their thick heads that the way of peace was of submission and obedience, none of this would be necessary. None of this needed to happen.

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Claire North doesn’t shy away from ponderous topics. In this book, she goes deep on morality, identity, values, and creating meaning in life, no matter how long or short the life is. Through very unique characters she highlights the value of community, shared experiences, beliefs, and societal structure.

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And then, fairly soon, that same Nitashi inclination towards vivid emotional display made the viewers weary, became exhausting for so many peoples of the Accord.

“I feel dreadfully sorry for them, of course I do, but it’s all just … I mean, it’s just so much, isn’t it? Honestly, I find it hard to watch.” Fascinating, how easily people will assume that one person’s emotional landscape is less valid than their own.

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It’s captivating, extreme, and very-well crafted. It’s lovely, harsh, and thought-provoking. The topics are challenging but the writing is so good that it allows us to examine the darkest, most uncomfortable parts of the human experience.

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“So you see,” I concluded, “I’m going to bed. And tomorrow I’m going to sort out the pantry and make an inventory of supplies, and work out what to do with you. Perhaps I’ll kill you. But honestly, right now, the idea bores me. Perhaps I’ll turn you over to the authorities. I’ll probably do that. There’s a cliff you can throw yourself off if you really feel like it. We’ll work it out in the morning. Take a little time to think.”

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