Forty Signs of Rain
Encyclopedia
Forty Signs of Rain is the first book in the hard science fiction
"Science in the Capital" trilogy
by Kim Stanley Robinson
. The focus of the novel is the effects of global warming
in the near future. Its characters are mostly scientists, either involved in biotech research, assisting government members or doing paperwork at the NSF
. There are also several Buddhist
monks working for the embassy of the fictional island nation of Khembalung.
were critical in their review saying "As stiff and hard SF as they were, the Mars books succeeded through the sheer chutzpah of their epic insight. This one feels like the ho-hum preview for a run-of-the-mill end-of-the-world story." Publishers Weekly
said "Robinson's tale lacks the drama and excitement of such other novels dealing with global climate change as Bruce Sterling's Heavy Weather
and John Barnes'
Mother of Storms
, but his portrayal of how actual scientists would deal with this disaster-in-the-making is utterly convincing. Robinson clearly cares deeply about our planet's future, and he makes the reader care as well."
Hard science fiction
Hard science fiction is a category of science fiction characterized by an emphasis on scientific or technical detail, or on scientific accuracy, or on both. The term was first used in print in 1957 by P. Schuyler Miller in a review of John W. Campbell, Jr.'s Islands of Space in Astounding Science...
"Science in the Capital" trilogy
Trilogy
A trilogy is a set of three works of art that are connected, and that can be seen either as a single work or as three individual works. They are commonly found in literature, film, or video games...
by Kim Stanley Robinson
Kim Stanley Robinson
Kim Stanley Robinson is an American science fiction writer known for his award-winning Mars trilogy. His work delves into ecological and sociological themes regularly, and many of his novels appear to be the direct result of his own scientific fascinations, such as the fifteen years of research...
. The focus of the novel is the effects of global warming
Global warming
Global warming refers to the rising average temperature of Earth's atmosphere and oceans and its projected continuation. In the last 100 years, Earth's average surface temperature increased by about with about two thirds of the increase occurring over just the last three decades...
in the near future. Its characters are mostly scientists, either involved in biotech research, assisting government members or doing paperwork at the NSF
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
. There are also several Buddhist
Buddhism
Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha . The Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent some time between the 6th and 4th...
monks working for the embassy of the fictional island nation of Khembalung.
Reception
Robert K. J. Killheffer in his review for Fantasy & Science Fiction said "Forty Signs of Rain is a fascinating depiction of the workings of science and politics, and an urgent call for us to pull our heads from the sand and confront the threat of climate change. We should listen." Kirkus ReviewsKirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine founded in 1933 by Virginia Kirkus . Kirkus serves the book and literary trade sector, including libraries, publishers, literary and film agents, film and TV producers and booksellers. Kirkus Reviews is published on the first and 15th of each month...
were critical in their review saying "As stiff and hard SF as they were, the Mars books succeeded through the sheer chutzpah of their epic insight. This one feels like the ho-hum preview for a run-of-the-mill end-of-the-world story." Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
said "Robinson's tale lacks the drama and excitement of such other novels dealing with global climate change as Bruce Sterling's Heavy Weather
Heavy Weather (science fiction novel)
Heavy Weather is a science fiction novel by Bruce Sterling, first published in 1994, about a group of storm chasers in a world where global warming has produced incredibly destructive weather.-Plot summary:...
and John Barnes'
John Barnes (author)
-Writing:Two of his novels, The Sky So Big and Black and The Duke of Uranium have been reviewed as having content appropriate for a young adult readership, comparing favorably to Robert A. Heinlein's "juvenile" novels...
Mother of Storms
Mother of Storms
Mother of Storms is a 1994 science fiction novel by John Barnes. It was nominated for three major science fiction awards.-Plot summary:In the early 21st century, the earth suffers from a giant hurricane spawned by the release of clathrate compounds, as the result of a nuclear explosion...
, but his portrayal of how actual scientists would deal with this disaster-in-the-making is utterly convincing. Robinson clearly cares deeply about our planet's future, and he makes the reader care as well."
Awards and nominations
- nominated for both the British Science FictionBSFA awardThe BSFA Awards are literary awards presented annually since 1970 by the British Science Fiction Association to honor works in the genre of science fiction. Nominees and winners are chosen based on a vote of BSFA members...
Award, in 2004; and the Locus Award in 2005.
Release details
- 2004, United Kingdom, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-00-714886-0, Pub date January 2004, Hardback
- 2004, United States of America, Spectra ISBN 0-553-80311-5, Pub date June 2004, Hardback
- 2005, United Kingdom, HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-00-714888-7, Pub date February 2005, Paperback
- 2005, United States of America, Spectra ISBN 0-553-58580-0, Pub date July 2005, Paperback
Sources, external links, quotations
- Book Slut review by Lara Apps
- New Scientist:Environment review by Maggie McDonald