Pages : 286
Overall Mark : 8/10
Rorqual Maru was a cyborg – part organic whale, part mechanised ship – and part god. A vast plankton harvester, abandoned by mankind when the seas died. So she selected an island for her grave, hoping to keep her carcass visible for salvage. All through the long years, she wanted to server, longing for the sound of a human voice, missing the hearty hails, the seat and the laughter. She needed mankind. But all humans were long gone... or were they?
T.J. BASS (1932-2011)
Thomas Joseph Bassler was an American science fiction writer and doctor, principally known for his ‘Hive’ stories. The first of these, published in Galaxy Science Fiction and If, were combined into the novel Half Past Human, which was nominated for the Nebula Award in 1972. Loose sequel, The Godwhale, was also nominated three years later. His work explored the theme of overpopulation and was notable for its strong command of biological extrapolation. He died in 2011.
VERDICT
This was a vast improvement on Half Past Human, with the characters feeling much more likeable and realistic. The plot might be just as confusing, but at least the subplots are well rounded and feature humour and drama in equal measure.
