It is always a joy when I find a science fiction book that genuinely interests me, because it simply does not happen often enough. And it seems Erin Swan's Walk the Vanished Earth has followed a similar trend of other 2022 science fiction books I have read of dealing with a planet in peril, stories across time, and humanity traveling to a new far away location.
The Situation: In 1873 Kansas, a young bison hunter named Samson has no idea what his future holds, and how he will help shape the course humanity will take over the next 200 years. For now, he simply wants to marry and settle down, and forget the trauma he experienced at the hands of his cruel father. In 1975, a somewhat feral young woman will find herself in an institution, and give birth to a boy who will not know her until he is a young man. What he learns and inherits from his mother will be passed down to his daughter and granddaughter, as they all attempt to figure out what the human race will do now that earth is in trouble.
The Problem: When hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans in 2005, Paul is safe in his home in Kansas City. But he cannot forget what he sees on the news, despite the urging from his wife that his focus should be on his own home and their growing family. When other cities on the coastlines are swallowed by rising sea levels in late 2017, Paul realizes he cannot simply continue with his life as it is, and the earth may not let him. In 2073, Moon only knows life on Mars with her two alien uncles, though she knows they have plans to somehow grow the population and continue the race. However, she also knows they have not taught her everything, and she cannot help but wonder what happened to her own mother.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set across 200 years, beginning in 1873 and ending in 2073. The story is not told in a linear fashion, with the author instead choosing to jump around, not only in time, but between narrators as well. The result is a fully complete story, but the information is filled in piece by piece, like a puzzle, as the reader is given more clues and information. While partly speculative fiction, there is also some alternative history as Swan paints a world where the hurricanes and storms of 2017 were much more damaging, and entire cities (and all of California) are lost to the oceans. It becomes clear fairly early that a mission to Mars was attempted, but how successful it was is part of the overall mystery.
My Verdict: When I picked this book up, I was not entirely sure what to expect, except a story that would span across a couple of centuries and possibly planets. What I got was an intriguing look at a potential future for humanity and this planet. And while I knew all of the stories were somehow connected, knowing this ahead of time did not dull the surprises that came, or make any of the narratives less interesting. There was this low-lying, almost eerie, as well as consistent, sense of dread and foreboding that came with every new plan to restart civilization. It was always clear, and yet somehow not overtly obvious, that every new self-declared leader was hiding something, had done something, or was going to mess something up (as humans do). Sure, it is hard to trust politicians, but what if the new leader is part of your family?
Favorite Moment: When Moon, after conducting her own research, makes her own decision for what she wants her life to be.
Favorite Character: Moon is incredibly capable, despite having very little to work with.
Recommended Reading: The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez is one of my recent favorites, and Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel is also worth reading.
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