Learning the World
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Founder | Ken MacLeod |
| Products | Science fiction book |
Learning the World is a science fiction book authored by British writer Ken MacLeod and released in 2005. It earned the 2006 Prometheus Award and received nominations for several prestigious honors that year, including the Hugo Award, Locus, Clarke, and Campbell. Additionally, it was shortlisted for the BSFA in 2005. After its publication, MacLeod further developed the story's setting through two short stories titled "Lighting Out" and "Who's Afraid of Wolf 359?".
Premise
The narrative centers on a human generation ship named But the Sky, My Lady! The Sky! as it nears the Destiny Star to initiate contact with an alien civilization at an industrial technology stage—the first extraterrestrial society encountered by humanity. This encounter challenges existing shipboard regulations and sparks social turmoil among the crew.
Reception
Carl Hays, writing for Booklist, commended MacLeod for his vivid depiction of futuristic technology and credible speculative scenarios. Kirkus Reviews emphasized the nuanced representation of both human and alien characters, drawing attention to intricate viewpoints on each side, including conflicts related to the aliens' enslaved group called "trudges." In contrast, Ted Rose from Entertainment Weekly appreciated the intriguing premise of first contact but criticized the novel's character complexity, suggesting it undermined the story’s resolution.
References to other works
Within the novel, MacLeod incorporates "alien space bats", a well-known science fiction MacGuffin, as part of an internal joke among characters. The book also features reinterpreted quotations from prominent authors in the science fiction genre.
External links
- Review, Learning The World
- Learning the World at Worlds Without End