The Reality Dysfunction by Peter F. Hamilton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I love big books. The first book in Hamilton's Night's Dawn trilogy is definitely a big book, and I don't just mean in length (although the 1000+ pages help). It's a big book in scope: Hamilton attempts to create a vivid, believable future in which humans have colonized the galaxy, modified their genetic code, and made first contact with alien species.



Hamilton's novel is a galaxy spanning space opera, big on action, sex, and military tech. It's a species of "hard" sci-fi, I would say, although how well thought out and developed the scientific aspect of the story is, I can't say. Despite its length, its a relatively quick read; Hamilton's prose is clear yet evocative, and he handles dialogue and action quite well. Some of the characters are a bit cliched -- the grizzled veteran, the dashing young hero, etc. etc. -- but he keeps it fresh.



The main story, which doesn't really emerge until quite a ways through the novel, is the discovery of "the Reality Dysfunction," a mysterious temporal phenomenon that unleashes chaos on a small, developing planet and threatens to engulf the entirety of human-occupied space. But in many ways, the "Dysfunction" is only a device for Hamilton to imagine how human society may develop over the next few hundred years. He's imagined a fractured galaxy, where corporate interests, religious orders, and neo-feudal dynasties each compete for power and resources. Extraterrestrial colonies are ethnically segregated, and while some embrace new technologies and develop new ways of life, others attempt to turn back the clock and recreate older social orders. Hamilton jumps from character to character, each one providing a different perspective and brought up to understand the workings of the galaxy in completely different ways. While Hamilton is not a world-class writer, he's a very talented and imaginative one, and each character speaks in their own voice. Following each as their lives intersect with one another and with the central story is as interesting as the mystery at the heart of the novel itself.



Speaking of which, the "Dysfunction" is a bit of a let-down when its nature is finally revealed. Don't get me wrong, it is still an intriguing idea, but not quite as mind-blowing or fantastic as I'd hoped. But, the novel ends with major developments in the works and huge plot threads still unresolved, so I think there's a lot of good stuff to come. Definitely recommended for fans of smart sci-fi.



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