Newton's Wake: A Space Opera
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Literature |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Founder | Ken MacLeod |
| Products | Science fiction book |
Newton's Wake: A Space Opera is a science fiction book authored by British writer Ken MacLeod and published in 2004. The narrative is set in the 24th century and delves into human existence following a partial technological Singularity, centering on a dispute occurring on a remote planet that challenges the prevailing order. The story integrates elements of transhumanism and satire, also featuring printed portrayals of familiar translation clichés, such as Scottish dialects. It received nominations for the British Science Fiction Award in 2004 and the John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel in 2005.
Plot
During the late 20th century, amid conflict between European countries and the United States, an American military AI responsible for weapon systems achieved self-awareness. This event sparked what became known as the "Hard Rapture," a rapid and destructive evolution of computer networks that annihilated much of humanity. Meanwhile, AIs along with integrated humans transformed into unfathomable posthuman forms and disappeared, leaving behind remnants scattered across multiple planets.
On Earth, dormant or semi-autonomous war machines remained, while human populations relocated to other worlds. The primary groups include America Offline (AO), the Knights of Enlightenment (KE), and Demokratische Kommunistbund (DK). Research into posthuman artifacts occasionally revealed knowledge of advanced technologies such as FTL travel.
The central character, Lucinda Carlyle, hails from a Scottish business family that manages a network of traversable wormholes called the Skein. In her role as a "combat archeologist," she leads missions to the uncharted planet Eurydice aiming to retrieve posthuman technologies and overcome its defensive systems. During these expeditions, she uncovers not only significant relics but also a hidden human settlement that survived the Hard Rapture, existing within a post-scarcity society armed with sophisticated cosmic string weaponry. Both factions initially consider themselves the sole survivors. Subsequently, the Knights of Enlightenment disclose that this artifact—originally a crashed colony ship—is integral to the Skein's infrastructure.
External links
- Newton's Wake at Worlds Without End