Science Fiction & Fantasy Award Winning Book Group discussion

This month we are reading Spin vy Robert Charles Wilson because it won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 2006 (it was nominiated for a whole host of other awards, especially SF awards in other countries (Germany, France, Spain, Canada and Japan!) where they have a category for foreign or English language awards).

This is the second book by RCW that this group is reading. We've also read Mysterium which I thought was one of those books that is really good in an ineffable way. I liked it a lot, but had almost nothing to say about it.

Nick wrote: This is the second book by RCW that this group is reading. We've also read Mysterium . . .

Haha, I didn't make that connection and I don't think that I would have made it.

I’m about halfway through. It’s very wordy, but I think it works for the depth of the characters and the story development. Can’t quite wrap my head around the Spin concept- it’s really interesting.

I've left it a little late in the month to get started on this one - interestingly, it has similar themes to the other book we read by him: people isolated in a strange way and the impact it has on religion.

Deb wrote: "Can’t quite wrap my head around the Spin concept- it’s really interesting."
I like that he hasn't even tried to explain how it works!

About 25 percent through right now. Much like my experience with Mysterium I find it interesting but I'm not really pulled to pick it up and read. Hopefully I'll finish this weekend.

I'm not sure I agree with the lack of response from most of the population to the disappearance of the moon and stars. I think there'd be a stronger reaction but it is interesting to think about.

Jon wrote: " I think there'd be a stronger reaction but it is interesting to think about."

What kind of reaction would you expect?

I think I believe the lack of response because after the initial shock, and watching a whole lot of news about it, and discussing it with your friends, what can an ordinary person do? You still have to go to work, and pay your bills. You're busy with your life, and you have no power to effect the heavens. How many people who live in city centres even see the stars anyway?

Nick wrote: "You're busy with your life, and you have no power to effect the heavens."

Having said this! I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say that as they get closer to the deadline there is a lot more nihilism and so more strong responses, so maybe you just think faster than the general pop! :D

I think the book was able to show several ways the people were dealing with the spin. And then to show how their coping mechanisms either helped or fell apart. I felt it was quite realistic. I tried to decide where I would fall - I suspect I would panic and fall apart. I would rely on the info from the scientists, but that might not be possible IRL - especially if the US continues the current track. (I just was stuck in Baltimore (weather) with a scientist from Goddard. Interesting discussion.)

On the whole, the book was wordy. I didn't love the characters, but we weren't meant to. Anyone going to read the next book?

Yes, just like Mysterium, this was a story about very flawed people trying to cope with baffling, massive disasters.

I think I would probably be one of the people not to have children, and to readjust my priorities to more short term. No point saving for a pension if the earth is going to be swallowed by the sun before you're 70.

I don't think I'll read the next book. I find Wilson's work to be really well written, but I also find the characters mostly unloveable. Mostly, though I felt like this was a very natural end for this story. Wilson's work is so slow and thoughtful, and a little melancholy, I can't imagine this style being applied to a new frontier planet setting!

Yeah I thought that what happened later in the book should've happened when the lights went out. Maybe not the same night as many would have just slept through it, but definitely over the next few days. In fact I think the reactions should have been reversed. The more violent reactions when the change first happened and no one knew what was happening and then much milder reactions later as people stop paying attention and become more accustomed to the situation. Not a big deal though, it didn't ruin the story for me.

As you both mention I found the characters unlikeable throughout much of the book but I did come around a bit on all three of them by the end. Much like Mysterium I liked the overall story more than I liked the book. I enjoyed the ending and as Nick said I probably won't read the next book. I think it introduces completely new characters. If it mysteriously fell into my lap I might read the first couple of chapters for curiosities' sake but I'm good for now.