In October, my sci-fi book club read The Chronoliths by Robert Charles Wilson. The novel was first published in 2001, and I have a vague memory of reading it back then. The plot is about a series of gigantic pillars that suddenly appear on Earth from 20 years in the future, sent by a conquering warlord to memorialize his victories. But the story focuses more on the personal lives of the characters who try to deal with the recurring phenomena and change future events that seem inevitable.
Readers in the group thought the characters and their storylines were the strengths of the novel, while the science and time paradox came off a bit sketchy. Some people gave it a tentative thumbs up, while others a tentative thumbs down. Personally, I’d recommend it. I liked the questions of determinism and free will that Wilson took on, as well as the edgy socio-political issues, which should speak to readers today, somewhat eerily, nearly 25 years after its publication. The book won the 2002 Hugo and John W. Campbell Memorial awards.
Next up for the group in November is Exit Party by Emily St. John Mandel. I hope you’re reading along with us.
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