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Galaxias

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'Galaxias' by Stephen Baxter is a science fiction novel that explores a unique premise where the Sun disappears for 24 hours, causing catastrophic effects on Earth. The book delves into the human response to this existential crisis and the subsequent struggle for survival. The plot unfolds through a series of detailed descriptions of governmental meetings, technological innovations, and the personal journeys of characters, all set against the backdrop of a galaxy-spanning entity known as Galaxias.

Baxter's writing style in 'Galaxias' incorporates extensive infodumps on scientific concepts, orbital mechanics, and technological advancements, which may appeal to readers interested in intricate world-building and speculative fiction. The narrative structure moves through different time periods, from immediate aftermath to distant future, while exploring themes of human resilience, survival, and the consequences of cosmic events on Earth.

Characters:

The characters are largely viewed as unremarkable and unlikable, lacking depth and differentiation.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style includes elaborate descriptions and excessive infodumping, with some readers enjoying the scientific detail while others found it tedious.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot features a captivating premise about the sun's temporary movement but is marred by repetitive meetings and a thinly developed human storyline.

Setting:

The setting is a near-future world characterized by climate calamity and heavy bureaucratic discourse.

Pacing:

The pacing is uneven, starting engagingly but losing momentum due to long sections of meetings and detailed descriptions.
On Friday, 5 January 2057, in the morning of that day as experienced near the Greenwich meridian, many eyes happened to be turned to the Moon and the Sun: human and artificial eyes, on Earth and beyon...

Notes:

The book starts with a fascinating premise: the sun moves 90 AUs away for 24 hours in the 2050s.
It details the catastrophic climate effects triggered by this event, as well as the technological innovations in the near future.
The plot follows the personal journeys of three friends who are not particularly likeable.
Readers find the character development lacking and the government meetings tedious.
The book alternates between timeframes: days, months, years, and even to a vastly distant future.
Several readers compare it unfavorably to Neal Stephenson's 'Seveneves' regarding storytelling and character engagement.
Some find the second half of the book more rewarding with interesting technological concepts emerging.
The bureaucratic characters are often portrayed as dense and comically incompetent.
There are many infodumps explaining scientific concepts, sometimes deemed excessive.
Despite its flaws, many readers appreciate the start and the idea of the sun's temporary disappearance.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of existential crises, bureaucracy, and perhaps cognitive dissonance from characters making illogical decisions.

From The Publisher:

What would happen to the world if the sun went out?

New epic sci-fi from Stephen Baxter, the award-winning author whose credits include co-authorship of the Long Earth series with Terry Pratchett.

By the middle of the 21st century, humanity has managed to overcome a series of catastrophic events and maintain some sense of stability. Space exploration has begun again. Science has led the way.

But then one day, the sun goes out. Solar panels are useless, and the world begins to freeze

Earth begins to fall out of its orbit.

The end is nigh.

Someone has sent us a sign.

October 2021

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