Book Review - Pax Athenica by Geoffrey Greer
Category Book Review Geoffrey Greer Pax Athenica
Sometimes when I get requests from authors to read their books (especially first-time novelists), I end up rethinking if I ever want to do that again. Having a good story concept and executing it well can be if-fy. But then you occasionally run into a real gem that makes it worth it. Pax Athenica by Geoffrey Greer is an excellent sci-fi story that lends itself to plenty of analysis and parallels in today's world. And if Mr. "I don't do subtle" can figure it out (and actually find more than just one), then it *has* to be done well...
Earth is dead, as in "no life". Humans did something that wiped out all of civilization, animals, plants, you name it. The only thing that survived were AI robots who have become sentient. Maximilian, the leader of the Athenians, has successfully subdued all the other AI civilizations and brought "peace" to the land. But a warrior with no more wars to fight is a dangerous thing. Justin, a university professor, is secretly studying something that is unthinkable to the Athenians... that Earth may be attempting to regenerate life in the form of water, plants, and small lifeforms. Isaac is his confidante, and is torn between Justin's thinking and the official stance that biological diversity is unnecessary and is a threat to their way of life. When he tries to convince Maximilian that life is valuable, he starts down a path that involves espionage, rebellion, and finally a major choice between what is right and wrong.
Greer does an excellent job of "humanizing" the robots and capturing the philosophy of superiority that the Athenians have. As Isaac gets drawn deeper into the diversity argument, you see how society and the leadership changes to "protect" their way of life. Benevolence gives way to reluctant discipline, which leads to curtailment of freedoms, which finally leads to a society where totalitarian authority is the norm. Those who have differing opinions are tolerated, then frowned upon, then punished, leading to either death or "reform". There were three or four different messages you could take from the story, and those who are more contemplative could probably find even more. But I loved how the story wasn't a thin covering for the author's soapbox. You could read the book for the story alone and it would have been just as good...
I really hope this isn't Greer's first, last, and only foray into the science fiction novel world. I would pick up his next book without a moment's hesitation...
Sometimes when I get requests from authors to read their books (especially first-time novelists), I end up rethinking if I ever want to do that again. Having a good story concept and executing it well can be if-fy. But then you occasionally run into a real gem that makes it worth it. Pax Athenica by Geoffrey Greer is an excellent sci-fi story that lends itself to plenty of analysis and parallels in today's world. And if Mr. "I don't do subtle" can figure it out (and actually find more than just one), then it *has* to be done well...
Earth is dead, as in "no life". Humans did something that wiped out all of civilization, animals, plants, you name it. The only thing that survived were AI robots who have become sentient. Maximilian, the leader of the Athenians, has successfully subdued all the other AI civilizations and brought "peace" to the land. But a warrior with no more wars to fight is a dangerous thing. Justin, a university professor, is secretly studying something that is unthinkable to the Athenians... that Earth may be attempting to regenerate life in the form of water, plants, and small lifeforms. Isaac is his confidante, and is torn between Justin's thinking and the official stance that biological diversity is unnecessary and is a threat to their way of life. When he tries to convince Maximilian that life is valuable, he starts down a path that involves espionage, rebellion, and finally a major choice between what is right and wrong.
Greer does an excellent job of "humanizing" the robots and capturing the philosophy of superiority that the Athenians have. As Isaac gets drawn deeper into the diversity argument, you see how society and the leadership changes to "protect" their way of life. Benevolence gives way to reluctant discipline, which leads to curtailment of freedoms, which finally leads to a society where totalitarian authority is the norm. Those who have differing opinions are tolerated, then frowned upon, then punished, leading to either death or "reform". There were three or four different messages you could take from the story, and those who are more contemplative could probably find even more. But I loved how the story wasn't a thin covering for the author's soapbox. You could read the book for the story alone and it would have been just as good...
I really hope this isn't Greer's first, last, and only foray into the science fiction novel world. I would pick up his next book without a moment's hesitation...
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