Paperback, 336 pages
Published May 4, 2021 by G.P. Putnam's Sons.
Max Barry's speculative fiction has often been published just ahead of big cultural moments it is well suited to shed light on. This novel from 2020 focuses on AI and PR in a way that seems perfectly suited for the 2022-2023 surge in AI use. There are thrilling space war trappings, but Barry's wit and those presently pressing concerns make it more than just another sci fi adventure.
Spoiler-free review.
A new Max Barry novel is a rare treat and usually worth the many-year wait. I was happy to hear about a new book to be published, and absolutely excited to learn that it appeared to feature a dystopian future, a deep space mission, and an enigmatic AI - some of my favourite things as far as novels are concerned. And Providence did not disappoint. Despite my best efforts, I had to give up on the plan of spacing it out and making it last by reading a chapter at a time, and read it all in one go.
Max Barry took a number of established concepts and tropes, and managed to weave them into something new - something I didn't even think was possible at this point, after a lifetime of reading classic SF novels and short stories. But Providence provides in equal parts a familiar backdrop, …
Spoiler-free review.
A new Max Barry novel is a rare treat and usually worth the many-year wait. I was happy to hear about a new book to be published, and absolutely excited to learn that it appeared to feature a dystopian future, a deep space mission, and an enigmatic AI - some of my favourite things as far as novels are concerned. And Providence did not disappoint. Despite my best efforts, I had to give up on the plan of spacing it out and making it last by reading a chapter at a time, and read it all in one go.
Max Barry took a number of established concepts and tropes, and managed to weave them into something new - something I didn't even think was possible at this point, after a lifetime of reading classic SF novels and short stories. But Providence provides in equal parts a familiar backdrop, and a new perspective. It was a very satisfying experience I can wholeheartedly recommend.
