FICTION: The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler
The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler tells of an island arpeggio bought up by a huge, multinational tech corporation, the island inhabitants relocated in the name of conservation to make way for highly secretive research into a newly discovered, intelligent octopus species. We follow Dr. Ha Nguyen, an expert cephalopod research scientist, brought in to study the octopus’ communication and culture in their sunken wreck colony.
Of course rumours of the work are spreading, and seen by some as a threat. Elsewhere, a hacker is attempting to crack a near impossible network; there is media hysteria over the dangers of AI intelligence; and on a high tech, deep sea fishing vessel, workers trapped in slavery are attempting an escape.
The interconnecting threads weave a story about communication, language and how wide the gulf of understanding between us and another species would be. It also examines the seductive quality of technology, the consequences and dark underbelly of each new advancement – slavery, surveillance and control.
This is an utterly gripping, brilliantly intelligent, fascinating read; a thrilling, yet thoughtful take on what it is to be alive, humanity’s potential set against our worst instincts. If you every wondered how contact with another intelligent species might play out, and whether our reaction would reflect badly on us, this is the book for you!
NON FICTION: Getting Better by Michael Rosen
In our lives, terrible things may happen. Michael Rosen has grieved the loss of a child, lived with debilitating chronic illness, and faced death itself when seriously unwell in hospital. In spite of this he has survived, and has even learned to find joy in life in the aftermath of tragedy.
In Getting Better, he shares his story and the lessons he has learned along the way. Exploring the roles that trauma and grief have played in his own life, Michael investigates the road to recovery, asking how we can find it within ourselves to live well again after – or even during – the darkest times of our lives.
Moving and insightful, Getting Better is an essential companion for anyone who has loved and lost, or struggled and survived.