Distress

Greg Egan

Book 3 in the series:Subjective Cosmology

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Who Would Like This Book:

If you love hard science fiction packed with fascinating ideas, real speculative physics, and bold world-building, "Distress" is your playground. Greg Egan doesn't just use scientific concepts as background wallpaper; he dives headfirst into themes of gender, biotech, anarchism, and the very nature of reality itself. The story is full of wild hypotheticals - think voluntary autists, multi-gender societies, and biotech survivalists - but always anchored in thoughtful logic. If you're the kind of reader who savors intellectually ambitious fiction and doesn't mind chewing on some heavy philosophy, this book is for you. Fans of Ted Chiang, Charles Stross, or anyone intrigued by how science shapes society will find a lot to chew on here.

Who May Not Like This Book:

Not everyone will gel with this one. Some readers find the characters cold or the dialogue heavy - there are long stretches of high-minded debates that can feel more like lectures than conversations. The plot can be dense with exposition, and at times, the scientific or philosophical ideas may come across as convoluted or a bit implausible. If you prefer fast-paced action, deep character development, or stories centered on human drama rather than abstract speculation, you might find "Distress" a challenging or even frustrating read.

An ambitious, idea-packed near-future sci-fi adventure best suited for readers who crave hard science and bold philosophical thought experiments - more brains than heart, but brilliantly challenging.

About:

Distress by Greg Egan is a near-future hard science fiction novel that delves into a society where political correctness has taken extreme forms, leading to new religions and cults centered around social issues like gender fluidity, genetic manipulation, and acceptance or rejection of science. The story follows Andrew, a scientific journalist investigating a conference where a new Theory of Everything is to be announced, unraveling a complex web of cults and groups with varying agendas. Egan's writing style weaves together intricate scientific concepts with social issues, creating a thought-provoking narrative that challenges readers to contemplate the implications of advanced biotechnology and philosophical ideas.

The novel expertly balances action with character development, exploring themes of societal norms, human consciousness, and the ethical implications of scientific advancements. Through a mix of suspenseful plot twists and mind-bending ideas, Egan crafts a cohesive and satisfying narrative that offers insights into complex philosophical and scientific concepts, all set against a backdrop of a near-future Australia grappling with technological and societal changes.

Characters:

The characters tend to be intellectually driven and complex, often embodying the themes of the narrative rather than existing as traditional protagonists.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is intellectually engaging, characterized by dense prose and in-depth dialogue that tackles complex scientific ideas and societal issues.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot intricately weaves together the quest for a unifying scientific theory with social and political implications, highlighted by mysterious events and moral dilemmas.

Setting:

The setting depicts a near-future society marked by advanced technology, diverse social movements, and political complexities.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, alternating between gripping suspense and slower sections that delve into complex discussions.

The bioethicist was a laconic young asex with blond dreadlocks and a T-shirt which flashed up the slogan SAY NO TO TOE! in between the paid advertising. Ve countersigned the permission form on the for...

Notes:

The novel is set in the 21st century and features a mental disease called 'Distress', likened to AIDS of the mind.

'Anthrocosmology' is a key scientific concept in the book, connecting speculative notions to real scientific debates.

Egan creates a new class of pronouns for individuals who have undergone extreme gender transformations, emphasizing fluidity in gender identity.

Characters explore themes like voluntary autism, viewing their condition as liberating rather than a disorder.

Egan's narrative includes a creepy survivalist character who modifies his DNA to adapt to extreme conditions and has sinister plans.

The protagonist is a journalist investigating a physics conference amidst a backdrop of anarchist societies and various cults.

The plot intertwines science, politics, and metaphysical discussions about the nature of reality and the universe.

The book critiques the idea that science is culturally biased and emphasizes the pursuit of truth through scientific understanding.

Egan tackles complex ideas about morality, arguing it can exist without religious frameworks.

The ending of the novel is intentionally anticlimactic, meant to reflect a cold and sterile view of existence without absolutes.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

The book contains themes that might be triggering to some readers, particularly concerning mental health, sexual identity, and existential philosophy.

From The Publisher:

All right. He's dead. Go ahead and talk to him."

It is the year 2055, and the battle of the sexes has seven combatants rather than two. The illusion of empathy" has been dispensed with, and a few idealistic souls try to create a utopia with pirated technology.

But a wired journalist, Andrew Worth, doesn't want any part of the pop Frankenscience" regularly dished out to the masses. Burned-out after completing a documentary on controversial developments in biotechnology, he turns down a chance to report on a baffling new mental disorder known as Distress and instead takes an assignment covering the Einstein Centenary Conference on the artificial island of Stateless. There, a young South African physicist, Violet Mosala, is expected to unveil her candidate for a Theory of Everything.

But the assignment is not the tropical respite Worth was expecting. Unfortunately academia's facade of civility is dangerously cracked with a seething maelstrom of plotting, assassination attempts, and rebellion, and Worth is dragged down into the nightmare. The world's only hope for survival lies in Violet Mosala's development of a final Theory of Everything, but whether it will lead to the total destruction of life as we know it or the complete remaking of the universe may be a risk too dangerous to take.

Greg Egan's audacious voice and literary scope create a fragmented futuristic world where technology and bioengineering threaten humanity's very existence.

Skyhorse Publishing, under our Night Shade and Talos imprints, is proud to publish a broad range of titles for readers interested in science fiction (space opera, time travel, hard SF, alien invasion, near-future dystopia), fantasy (grimdark, sword and sorcery, contemporary urban fantasy, steampunk, alternative history), and horror (zombies, vampires, and the occult and supernatural), and much more. While not every title we publish becomes a New York Times bestseller, a national bestseller, or a Hugo or Nebula award-winner, we are committed to publishing quality books from a diverse group of authors.

1995

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464 pages

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