Science Fiction: The Republic of Memory by Mahmud El Sayed

Hardbacks are wonderful, of course, but there is nothing like a solid paperback, and I was loving the feeling of Mahmud El Sayed's The Republic of Memory as I was reading it. Plus, the cover is as intriguing as the premise. After leaving Earth, the people on the Safina find themselves in the middle of a potential resistance, the consequences of which could keep the ship from ever reaching its destination.

The Situation: Two hundred years into its journey, and with 200 years still left to go, the Safina continues through space after leaving a doomed Earth behind. A crew maintains the ship, with Admin leading the charge, as they all head towards a new start on a new planet. One of the primary goals of the crew is to keep alive and maintain the ancestors currently in cryostasis, who will be awakened once the journey ends, and ready to begin their new lives. But while they sleep, generation after generation endures life on the Safina, and not everyone is okay with that.

The Problem: Some of the crew onboard the Safina have had enough, and several groups have formed with the aim of changing how things are done on the ship, and a few even believe the ancestors should be awoken now, instead of after landing. Iskander is in Admin, and as a translator, he enjoys his job as it allows him to make connections across the languages, cultures, and religions onboard. He is aware of the resistance, but would rather not be involved. He also wishes his sister Damietta felt the same. When a blackout occurs, Admin is determined to find the true cause, and those responsible, but the crew is ready for a change. And if the Safina is not soon back on course, none of this will matter anyway.

Genre, Themes, History: This is a science fiction novel set on the Safina, a massive spaceship headed for a destination that should take 400 years to reach. In the early half of the book, the people onboard the Safina celebrate Launch Day, and with 200 years behind them, they have 200 years to go. In order to keep the ship running, there are of course crew that must maintain the ship; make sure there is enough food; monitor oxygen levels; and keep the ancestors in cryostasis alive. But with ever-growing resentment against the Administration, the Safina is on the brink of revolt. It is a time when Earth has been destroyed and left behind, but even life on a distant planet may be too much to hope for.

My Verdict: The world building here is incredible, and delightful, and to me, endlessly fascinating. The idea of life aboard a massive spaceship on its way to a destination that will take centuries to reach is beyond interesting. The story of the civilization living on the ship being on the brink of a conflict not only makes sense (because humans), but also raises interesting questions as to what would be the best way to make something like this happen. Things become less enjoyable for me with the focus on specific characters. Few of them are likeable, and at one point, the viewpoint of one annoying character is sacrificed and replaced with someone even more irritating. Regardless, a second book is promised for 2027 and I am curious to know the fate of the Safina.

Favorite Moment: At one point, Damietta's feelings towards her brother change, allowing for at least some growth and change for her character.

Favorite Character: Lebanon, Iskander's cousin, is doing his best, and simply wishes to do his job and one day get married, and continue his life on the Safina. 

Recommended Reading: Walk the Vanished Earth by Erin Swan remains one of those books that I think about occasionally because of the ideas it presented.