AIR by Geoff Ryman

This book was a very unexpected surprise.  Lately I’ve gotten some real duds in the scifi area, but this one is a definite winner and I would like to even read it again.  Something I rarely do.

It’s in a completely fictional setting, but seemingly very realistic.  In a very small rural village in Karzistan (kept thinking of Khazakstan when reading.)  It’s a mix of cultures/races/religions – Chinese ethnic, Muslim, and an indiginous group called the Eloi.  The real and current day is woven in with the imaginary, making it seem a plausible place.

The general plot concerns the roll-out of the ultimate internet in that it is transmitted via the networks of everyone’s minds instead of computers.  Everyone can share everything simulateneously.  In a major cosmopolitan city the transition is relatively easy as everyone is already moving with the fast pace of technology.  But in this very small isolated area, the change is devastating and frightening and resisted. 

The story is narrated from the view of Mae, local self-made fashion expert.  She is not well-educated (she cannot read nor write), but very intelligent and capable nonetheless and is the first to embrace the new technology and realises its potential.  The story is told from her simple view, not someone who is completely familiar with technology, which makes it so interesting to read.

Give this one 9 out of 10.