Polystom
Polystom by Adam Charles Roberts is a first edition novel published by Gollancz in 2003, featuring 294 pages in English. This innovative science fiction tale introduces readers to a universe where a breathable atmosphere connects planets, aristocrats navigate interstellar space in biplanes, and enigmatic skywhals traverse distant orbits. The story centers on Polystom, the fiftieth steward of Enting, whose life of certainties is upended by the death of his uncle Cleonicles, the creator of the Computational Device, which embodies the pinnacle of human knowledge.
In this narrative, readers will encounter extraordinary ideas that challenge conventional perceptions of reality. As Polystom grapples with the implications of his uncle’s passing, he faces a series of revelations that disrupt his previously unshakeable beliefs about love, respect, and glory. The book explores themes of illusion and reality within a richly constructed science fiction framework, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of knowledge and existence.
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“Roberts joins my list of essential authors.”–VECTOR (Critical Journal of the British Science Fiction Association)
“A purveyor of illusions that underscore the real.”–SFSite.com
In his fourth novel, the critically acclaimed author Adam Roberts once again produces an innovative, rewardingly different SF tale, full of extraordinary ideas.
In Adam’s universe, a breathable atmosphere extends between planets, aristocrats cruise insterstellar space in biplanes, and skywhals make mysterious distant orbits. The hero, Polystom, the fiftieth steward of Enting, has always lived in a world of certainties: certain that his new wife will love him, certain that his servants respect him, certain that war will bring him the glory he seeks. Then his uncle Cleonicles–the inventor of the Computational Device, the greatest work of man, the summation of human knowledge, the explanation of the
stars–dies.
And that is only the first shock to Polystom’s comfortable view of life…
Adam Roberts is author of the novels Salt, which was shortlisted for the Arthur C. Clarke Award, On, and Stone. He teaches at London University, and has also published academic works on both 19th century poetry and SF.
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