Cinder blocks.
Cinder blocks are analogous to the accidental properties of Michael O’Brien’s novels. Yet his latest, his 10th, “Voyage to Alpha Centauri,” is relatively small compared to his earlier works, clocking in at only 587 pages.
It’s a shame that these books look so daunting, as a majority of our twittering, texting masses will never read something that doesn’t grant them instant gratification. Yet for those who are patient, willing to take the time to embark on his latest adventure, will find themselves traveling through space at 0.5 times the speed of light. Man’s destination? The system of Alpha Centauri, our closest neighboring star.
Many have commented on this novel, some saying that the same story could have been told with 200 pages cut out of it. While this may be the case, I for one did not feel the novel drag. O’Brien is a master artist, not an author of popular fiction. Every word carries meaning. Indeed, if you allow yourself to be immersed, you will feel as though you are a passenger aboard the Kosmos (mankind’s massive city-like ship, over a kilometer in length that embarks on a nineteen year voyage into space).
Written as a journal, the reader enters into the mind of the two-time Nobel-prize recipient, Dr. Neil de Hoyos, whose work in physics have allowed the possibility of such a voyage to occur. He’s a skeptical fellow, allowing his intelligence to act as a wall against the inner longings of his very human heart. He lives with regrets, he’s angry, and he walks with a limp. Yet he and the 600 other passengers hope that in leaving their fallen, totalitarian home planet, they will be free from their dystopia, somehow, some way.
As the story progresses, the milieu becomes very dark, and the terrible truth of man’s inability to escape himself and the shortcomings of his people stare in the face of Dr. Hoyos. The central theme under all the action, discoveries, and conspiracies really got under my skin; try as they might to transcend humanity’s ugliness, the voyagers still carry the faults of their people - our people - within themselves. Evil lies in the hearts of men.
And yet the story ends with incredible hope and joy. When I finished the book, I had to take a day to unwind myself, to float back down to Earth. I was saddened that the journey was over, but I cannot wait to discuss it with my brother, who has just started the book on my recommendation.
You can buy the book here: http://amzn.to/1pUA31S
You can also check out O'Brien's other novels (and his wonderful articles and paintings) at his personal website: http://www.studiobrien.com
