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.