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Ascension
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Best Science Fiction (2023)A mind-bending speculative thriller in which the sudden appearance of a mountain in the middle of the Pacific Ocean leads a group of scientists to a series of jaw-dropping revelations that challenge the notion of what it means to be human.
An enormous snow-covered mountain has appeared in the Pacific Ocean. No one knows when exactly it showed up, precisely how big it might be, or how to explain its existence. When Harold Tunmore, a scientist of mysterious phenomena, is contacted by a shadowy organization to help investigate, he has no idea what he is getting into as he and his team set out for the mountain.
The higher Harold’s team ascends, the less things make sense. Time moves differently, turning minutes into hours, and hours into days. Amid the whipping cold of higher elevation, the climbers’ limbs numb and memories of their lives before the mountain begin to fade. Paranoia quickly turns to violence among the crew, and slithering, ancient creatures pursue them in the snow. Still, as the dangers increase, the mystery of the mountain compels them to its peak, where they are certain they will find their answers. Have they stumbled upon the greatest scientific discovery known to man or the seeds of their own demise?
Framed by the discovery of Harold Tunmore’s unsent letters to his family and the chilling and provocative story they tell, Ascension considers the limitations of science and faith and examines both the beautiful and the unsettling sides of human nature.
An enormous snow-covered mountain has appeared in the Pacific Ocean. No one knows when exactly it showed up, precisely how big it might be, or how to explain its existence. When Harold Tunmore, a scientist of mysterious phenomena, is contacted by a shadowy organization to help investigate, he has no idea what he is getting into as he and his team set out for the mountain.
The higher Harold’s team ascends, the less things make sense. Time moves differently, turning minutes into hours, and hours into days. Amid the whipping cold of higher elevation, the climbers’ limbs numb and memories of their lives before the mountain begin to fade. Paranoia quickly turns to violence among the crew, and slithering, ancient creatures pursue them in the snow. Still, as the dangers increase, the mystery of the mountain compels them to its peak, where they are certain they will find their answers. Have they stumbled upon the greatest scientific discovery known to man or the seeds of their own demise?
Framed by the discovery of Harold Tunmore’s unsent letters to his family and the chilling and provocative story they tell, Ascension considers the limitations of science and faith and examines both the beautiful and the unsettling sides of human nature.
344 pages, Hardcover
First published April 25, 2023
About the author
Nicholas Binge
4 books352 followersNicholas Binge is a bestselling author of speculative thrillers, literary science-fiction, and horror. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Sunday Times, The Wall Street Journal, The FT, Entertainment Weekly, The Washington Post, and more.
His first novel, Professor Everywhere, was selected as a prize-winner by The Proverse Prize for Literature in Hong Kong. His most recent novel, Ascension, a New York Times Editor’s Choice Pick, was named a best book of 2023 by Vulture, The LA Times, and The Sunday Times, as well as being nominated for the Goodreads’ Choice Awards in 2023. It has since been critically praised across almost every major media outlet, as well as being translated into nine languages and being optioned for film.
His next novel, Dissolution, will be out internationally in March 2025.
Binge has lived in Singapore, Switzerland, and Hong Kong, and is currently based in Edinburgh, UK. Outside of fiction, he has written for The Guardian, Literary Hub, and CrimeReads, amongst others. When he’s not writing himself, he also lectures in creative writing at Edinburgh Napier University. He is an active member of ESFF (Edinburgh Science-Fiction & Fantasy) and can often be found at book festivals and events around Scotland and the rest of the UK.
The best way to keep updated about news and new releases is to sign up to his newsletter or to follow him on Twitter: @BingeWriting
His first novel, Professor Everywhere, was selected as a prize-winner by The Proverse Prize for Literature in Hong Kong. His most recent novel, Ascension, a New York Times Editor’s Choice Pick, was named a best book of 2023 by Vulture, The LA Times, and The Sunday Times, as well as being nominated for the Goodreads’ Choice Awards in 2023. It has since been critically praised across almost every major media outlet, as well as being translated into nine languages and being optioned for film.
His next novel, Dissolution, will be out internationally in March 2025.
Binge has lived in Singapore, Switzerland, and Hong Kong, and is currently based in Edinburgh, UK. Outside of fiction, he has written for The Guardian, Literary Hub, and CrimeReads, amongst others. When he’s not writing himself, he also lectures in creative writing at Edinburgh Napier University. He is an active member of ESFF (Edinburgh Science-Fiction & Fantasy) and can often be found at book festivals and events around Scotland and the rest of the UK.
The best way to keep updated about news and new releases is to sign up to his newsletter or to follow him on Twitter: @BingeWriting
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,756 reviews
April 18, 2023
If you ever read this, tell others. Don’t come here. Don’t come here.
The problem with this book, I feel, is it is just a tad too cheesy and ridiculous for speculative fiction. I found it more palatable when I told myself it was horror.
Ascension definitely works better as a horror-- monstrous creatures in the night, minds being taken over by mystical forces, religious themes, campy twists --but I came in expecting something akin to Sylvain Neuvel's Sleeping Giants so I was disappointed.
Also, the epistolary format is usually one I enjoy, but it did not work for me here. I couldn't quite buy into Harold sitting down to write these exceptionally detailed letters in between being pursued by various mountain horrors. And it bothered me that he was addressing his young niece in them-- would he really include all the "fucks" and references to making love to his wife? It was one more thing that ruined my suspension of disbelief.
Then there were the extensive flashbacks, which bored me. I'm sure they were there to break up the monotony of mountain trek, run from the monsters, trek trek, run from the monsters, but I really didn't care that much.
I already mentioned the "campy twist" above, but I really feel the need to emphasise how much this made me cringe. When Harold realises the truth, it's made into a big sinister aha moment, but it was just sort of funny.
None of this was helped by the fact that "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus came into my head at the start of the ascension and the more I read, the more the book seemed to parody the lyrics.
It doesn’t matter what the destination is, or what’s at the top; all that matters is that you keep climbing.
April 18, 2023
Ascension is a modern science fiction epic!
This book follows Harold, who as part of an exploratory team is investigating the mysterious appearance of a gigantic mountain in the middle of the ocean. The story is told in the form of letters to his Niece, in which Harold has described his extraordinary experiences, thoughts and outlined the slow agonizing unravelling of his mind.
I could easily compare Ascension to books like The Martian (Andy Weir), The Story of Your Life (Ted Chiang), The Ruins (Scott Smith) and to movies like Alive, Arrival and Interstellar. It has elements of all of these but also much more.
'Nobody spoke. Words felt insufficient, out of place. In the face of its magnitude, simile and metaphor felt ridiculous. This mountain - it rejects language. It renders it impotent. All that exists in its place is utter disbelief, and almost religious awe.'
This novel had me hooked from very early on. It's so well-paced and beautifully written that it didn't relinquish its grip on me until the very last word.
The story had it all. From moments of true horror, suspense and violence to moments of immense beauty and cosmic mystery.
'"To see a world in a grain of sand", 'Jet said, his eyes wild. '"And heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour."'
I gave this a perfect rating of five stars and wouldn't hesitate to recommend this phenomenal novel.
Nicholas Binge is one to watch!
I received an advanced copy for free and I'm leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.
This book follows Harold, who as part of an exploratory team is investigating the mysterious appearance of a gigantic mountain in the middle of the ocean. The story is told in the form of letters to his Niece, in which Harold has described his extraordinary experiences, thoughts and outlined the slow agonizing unravelling of his mind.
I could easily compare Ascension to books like The Martian (Andy Weir), The Story of Your Life (Ted Chiang), The Ruins (Scott Smith) and to movies like Alive, Arrival and Interstellar. It has elements of all of these but also much more.
'Nobody spoke. Words felt insufficient, out of place. In the face of its magnitude, simile and metaphor felt ridiculous. This mountain - it rejects language. It renders it impotent. All that exists in its place is utter disbelief, and almost religious awe.'
This novel had me hooked from very early on. It's so well-paced and beautifully written that it didn't relinquish its grip on me until the very last word.
The story had it all. From moments of true horror, suspense and violence to moments of immense beauty and cosmic mystery.
'"To see a world in a grain of sand", 'Jet said, his eyes wild. '"And heaven in a wild flower. Hold infinity in the palm of your hand and eternity in an hour."'
I gave this a perfect rating of five stars and wouldn't hesitate to recommend this phenomenal novel.
Nicholas Binge is one to watch!
I received an advanced copy for free and I'm leaving this unbiased review voluntarily.
April 17, 2023
Original review posted on my blog Out of This World SFF:
https://outofthisworldrev.blogspot.co...
I've read a ton of books over the years. Some I didn't enjoy, some barely made an impression, some I've liked a lot, some I've loved beyond belief. And then there are a select handful, like ASCENSION by Nicholas Binge, that I want to physically place in every person's hand that I see and say "Please, do me a favor and just read this. No it really doesn't matter what genre or type of books that you usually enjoy, trust me and read THIS ONE." That's really the best way I can properly articulate my feelings after finishing this extraordinary book.
ASCENSION is a fantastic blend of so many different sub-genres that I adore. There are elements of science-fiction, horror, techno-thriller, and weird fiction, just to name the most prominent ones that come to mind. The completely fascinating story of a mysterious mountain that appears in the ocean seemingly out of nowhere is one that you can't help but get caught up in. And having the expedition to explore it told in a series of letters is such a cool way of experiencing the enigmatic find through the eyes of the person witnessing it for the first time.
If that alone wasn't engrossing enough, there is a heart wrenching side story of love and loss told via the reflections of the main character as he goes over the events of his life leading up to that point. That is what really made this book one that will stay with me long after reading it. Some of these scenes are so powerfully moving that they impacted me just as much as the mystery of the mountain did, but in a more personal and emotional way. There were moments when I didn't know which part of the story I wanted to jump back into more because they were both equally riveting. And therein lies the type of brilliant storytelling that Nicholas Binge has brought forth with his latest release ASCENSION.
This book also tackles some pretty heavy topics, one of which is the much debated issue of science vs faith. The main character does struggle with this at times as he is a former doctor turned physicist but was also raised in a household where religion was an everyday part of life. So there is that interesting dichotomy that is presented and throughout the book he is faced with a tug of war of sorts between the two. There were a couple of moments when I thought, oh this is going to go down a super preachy road and end up being a convenient, "God is the answer to everything" message. But I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case and the faith aspect isn't done in a overtly heavy handed way at all. Rather, I found that it is there to give another perspective on things.
It's so difficult to put into words exactly how brilliant of a read this was for me. It's a story that gradually peels back layer after tantalizing layer until the ultimate mystery is finally revealed. And let me just say that the ending of this book is even more rewarding than the insanely awesome journey leading up to it.
ASCENSION is a book that blew my mind in so many ways. I never wanted to stop reading it for a second and I felt like my mouth was constantly ajar in astonishment. I have a hard time thinking of another book that was this much of a roller coaster adventure ride while also being a deeply emotional character study at the same time. I would be shocked if this book didn't make gigantic waves when it drops in a couple of weeks. It may very well end up being my top read of 2023. If author Nicholas Binge wasn't a household name before, he most certainly should be after this shimmering jewel of a novel. He's an absolute superstar as far as I'm concerned and I will never miss a single book that he writes going forward. You shouldn't either.
https://outofthisworldrev.blogspot.co...
I've read a ton of books over the years. Some I didn't enjoy, some barely made an impression, some I've liked a lot, some I've loved beyond belief. And then there are a select handful, like ASCENSION by Nicholas Binge, that I want to physically place in every person's hand that I see and say "Please, do me a favor and just read this. No it really doesn't matter what genre or type of books that you usually enjoy, trust me and read THIS ONE." That's really the best way I can properly articulate my feelings after finishing this extraordinary book.
ASCENSION is a fantastic blend of so many different sub-genres that I adore. There are elements of science-fiction, horror, techno-thriller, and weird fiction, just to name the most prominent ones that come to mind. The completely fascinating story of a mysterious mountain that appears in the ocean seemingly out of nowhere is one that you can't help but get caught up in. And having the expedition to explore it told in a series of letters is such a cool way of experiencing the enigmatic find through the eyes of the person witnessing it for the first time.
If that alone wasn't engrossing enough, there is a heart wrenching side story of love and loss told via the reflections of the main character as he goes over the events of his life leading up to that point. That is what really made this book one that will stay with me long after reading it. Some of these scenes are so powerfully moving that they impacted me just as much as the mystery of the mountain did, but in a more personal and emotional way. There were moments when I didn't know which part of the story I wanted to jump back into more because they were both equally riveting. And therein lies the type of brilliant storytelling that Nicholas Binge has brought forth with his latest release ASCENSION.
This book also tackles some pretty heavy topics, one of which is the much debated issue of science vs faith. The main character does struggle with this at times as he is a former doctor turned physicist but was also raised in a household where religion was an everyday part of life. So there is that interesting dichotomy that is presented and throughout the book he is faced with a tug of war of sorts between the two. There were a couple of moments when I thought, oh this is going to go down a super preachy road and end up being a convenient, "God is the answer to everything" message. But I was pleasantly surprised that this was not the case and the faith aspect isn't done in a overtly heavy handed way at all. Rather, I found that it is there to give another perspective on things.
It's so difficult to put into words exactly how brilliant of a read this was for me. It's a story that gradually peels back layer after tantalizing layer until the ultimate mystery is finally revealed. And let me just say that the ending of this book is even more rewarding than the insanely awesome journey leading up to it.
ASCENSION is a book that blew my mind in so many ways. I never wanted to stop reading it for a second and I felt like my mouth was constantly ajar in astonishment. I have a hard time thinking of another book that was this much of a roller coaster adventure ride while also being a deeply emotional character study at the same time. I would be shocked if this book didn't make gigantic waves when it drops in a couple of weeks. It may very well end up being my top read of 2023. If author Nicholas Binge wasn't a household name before, he most certainly should be after this shimmering jewel of a novel. He's an absolute superstar as far as I'm concerned and I will never miss a single book that he writes going forward. You shouldn't either.
June 16, 2023
Una enorme montaña cubierta de nieve ha aparecido en el Océano Pacífico. Nadie sabe exactamente cuándo apareció, qué tan grande podría ser o cómo explicar su existencia. Cuando Harold Tunmore, un científico de fenómenos misteriosos, es contactado por una organización en la sombra para ayudar a investigar, no tiene idea de en qué se está metiendo mientras él y su equipo parten hacia la montaña.
Cuanto más asciende el equipo de Harold, menos sentido tienen las cosas. El tiempo se mueve de manera diferente, convirtiendo los minutos en horas y las horas en días. En medio del frío azotador de las elevaciones más altas, las extremidades de los escaladores se entumecen y los recuerdos de sus vidas antes de la montaña comienzan a desvanecerse. La paranoia rápidamente se convierte en violencia entre la tripulación, y criaturas antiguas y deslizantes los persiguen en la nieve.
Aún así, a medida que aumentan los peligros, el misterio de la montaña los obliga a llegar a su cima, donde están seguros de que encontrarán sus respuestas.
¿Se han topado con el mayor descubrimiento científico conocido por el hombre o con las semillas de su propia desaparición?
Toda una sorpresa de lectura en un viaje de lo más gratificante y trepidante. CF de la buena, curiosa, con su dosis de misterio y terror.
Bien hilado, organizado y pensado. Finalmente le doy la 5 estrella. Es posible que para muchos pueda ser un 4 estrellas, no es una joya ni lo mejor que habréis leído. Pero está muy logrado y muy trabajado.
Su historia a hecho click con mis gustos, así de sencillo.
El ingrediente que más sobresale en su lectura es el enganche, querer saber, necesitar saber.
La incertidumbre hizo que desde que abrí el libro, hasta que lo terminé, no paré. No tiene momentos de flaqueza y no es un libro largo, al contrario. Me sorprende todo lo que abarca en las páginas que tiene.
Narrativa marcada por el descubrimiento de las cartas no enviadas de Harold Tunmore a su familia con la escalofriante y muy provocativa historia que cuentan, "Ascensión" considera los límites de la ciencia y la fe y examina tanto los aspectos hermosos como los inquietantes de la naturaleza humana.
Sin duda es una historia de terror al más puro estilo H.P. Lovecraft. Con esa parte de aventuras y descubrimientos imposibles.
Aunque no os guste Lovecraft que no os eche para atrás mi halago. Es por cierta similitud que este autor ha hecho en su honor.
Buen hallazgo y un gran enganche el que supone su lectura.
Para fans de la CF bien moldeada y soldada y del terror con algunos toques cósmicos, vale la pena escalar este libro. Muy bien escrito. Sigue un estilo diario que hace de su lectura un paso rápido y agradable de leer del tirón.
Personajes con los que terminas empatizando y dudando qué les pasará.
El tiempo es importante en la trama, y juega en contra de aquellos que buscan conocer y saber. CF muy particular.
Contiene su dosis de misterio, duda y tensión. Entre otros diversos menesteres. Está muy bien escrito. Yo diría que perfecto y adecuado para la historia que ofrece. Tanto en el estilo como en el ritmo y personajes. El final es algo más lento o denso.
Tenemos científicos, maestros en sus propias campos y gente preparada para proteger e ir a los límites. Me gustaron los diálogos, la parte CF ha sido interesante para mi.
El elemento arqueología, que hacen y viven en la montaña, también.
Atrapante e intrigante. Una vez lo empecé tuve que seguir. Va directamente al grano, no pierde el tiempo ni es muy largo.
Una historia en la que utiliza las maravillas por descubrir de la Tierra tan o más apasionantes que las las del espacio.
Un misterio de CF que usa un concepto clásico. Un misterio arriesgado y brillante, una muy angustiosa aventura por la supervivencia.
Una historia profunda y elegíaca, que examina la ciencia, la fe y el concepto mismo de la humanidad.Lo que significa vivir y morir, anhelar y esforzarse, y todos los conceptos intermedios.
A través de sus páginas ejerce una atracción a la trama y lo que está pasando y no solo pone en marcha una búsqueda científica, también una trascendente expedición para desentrañar los misterios de la existencia y el significado de la humanidad. Llena de suspense pero también profundamente contemplativa, nos hace pensar y nos invita a adentrarnos en lo sobrenatural.
Os lo recomiendo..✍️
Cuanto más asciende el equipo de Harold, menos sentido tienen las cosas. El tiempo se mueve de manera diferente, convirtiendo los minutos en horas y las horas en días. En medio del frío azotador de las elevaciones más altas, las extremidades de los escaladores se entumecen y los recuerdos de sus vidas antes de la montaña comienzan a desvanecerse. La paranoia rápidamente se convierte en violencia entre la tripulación, y criaturas antiguas y deslizantes los persiguen en la nieve.
Aún así, a medida que aumentan los peligros, el misterio de la montaña los obliga a llegar a su cima, donde están seguros de que encontrarán sus respuestas.
¿Se han topado con el mayor descubrimiento científico conocido por el hombre o con las semillas de su propia desaparición?
Toda una sorpresa de lectura en un viaje de lo más gratificante y trepidante. CF de la buena, curiosa, con su dosis de misterio y terror.
Bien hilado, organizado y pensado. Finalmente le doy la 5 estrella. Es posible que para muchos pueda ser un 4 estrellas, no es una joya ni lo mejor que habréis leído. Pero está muy logrado y muy trabajado.
Su historia a hecho click con mis gustos, así de sencillo.
El ingrediente que más sobresale en su lectura es el enganche, querer saber, necesitar saber.
La incertidumbre hizo que desde que abrí el libro, hasta que lo terminé, no paré. No tiene momentos de flaqueza y no es un libro largo, al contrario. Me sorprende todo lo que abarca en las páginas que tiene.
Narrativa marcada por el descubrimiento de las cartas no enviadas de Harold Tunmore a su familia con la escalofriante y muy provocativa historia que cuentan, "Ascensión" considera los límites de la ciencia y la fe y examina tanto los aspectos hermosos como los inquietantes de la naturaleza humana.
Sin duda es una historia de terror al más puro estilo H.P. Lovecraft. Con esa parte de aventuras y descubrimientos imposibles.
Aunque no os guste Lovecraft que no os eche para atrás mi halago. Es por cierta similitud que este autor ha hecho en su honor.
Buen hallazgo y un gran enganche el que supone su lectura.
Para fans de la CF bien moldeada y soldada y del terror con algunos toques cósmicos, vale la pena escalar este libro. Muy bien escrito. Sigue un estilo diario que hace de su lectura un paso rápido y agradable de leer del tirón.
Personajes con los que terminas empatizando y dudando qué les pasará.
El tiempo es importante en la trama, y juega en contra de aquellos que buscan conocer y saber. CF muy particular.
Contiene su dosis de misterio, duda y tensión. Entre otros diversos menesteres. Está muy bien escrito. Yo diría que perfecto y adecuado para la historia que ofrece. Tanto en el estilo como en el ritmo y personajes. El final es algo más lento o denso.
Tenemos científicos, maestros en sus propias campos y gente preparada para proteger e ir a los límites. Me gustaron los diálogos, la parte CF ha sido interesante para mi.
El elemento arqueología, que hacen y viven en la montaña, también.
Atrapante e intrigante. Una vez lo empecé tuve que seguir. Va directamente al grano, no pierde el tiempo ni es muy largo.
Una historia en la que utiliza las maravillas por descubrir de la Tierra tan o más apasionantes que las las del espacio.
Un misterio de CF que usa un concepto clásico. Un misterio arriesgado y brillante, una muy angustiosa aventura por la supervivencia.
Una historia profunda y elegíaca, que examina la ciencia, la fe y el concepto mismo de la humanidad.Lo que significa vivir y morir, anhelar y esforzarse, y todos los conceptos intermedios.
A través de sus páginas ejerce una atracción a la trama y lo que está pasando y no solo pone en marcha una búsqueda científica, también una trascendente expedición para desentrañar los misterios de la existencia y el significado de la humanidad. Llena de suspense pero también profundamente contemplativa, nos hace pensar y nos invita a adentrarnos en lo sobrenatural.
Os lo recomiendo..✍️
September 28, 2024
An intriguing and mesmerizing science fiction thriller!
Ascension is a beautifully written piece of weird fiction with literary pretensions (well deserved), some sci-fi elements and some horror that is told from the perspective of Harold Turnmore as a series of post hoc letters to his niece after the fact of events several decades later. The book is absolutely brilliant!
Mr. Harold Turnmore is our resident genius and he's recruited by some shadowy government type military figures for a curious expedition to investigate an anomaly out in the middle of the Pacific. A gigantic mountain has just appeared out of thin air and the first team to traverse it has failed to return...
Reality appears fluid and time dilates and runs in flows that tide and ebb all along their climb, with weird visions and glimpses of the future seeming to be a regular occurrence to some while things continually seem to be getting out of whack the further they climb. The formation of the mountain itself is an unusual mishmash, with strange creatures and microbes comprised of just RNA; will they be able to puzzle out this mysterious phenomena of the mountain and its surrounds or would it be their undoing?
The prose is utterly captivating and descriptive, making events ride in on an atmospheric fog that turns into a full blown blizzard towards the ending. Its smoothness and flow gets interrupted abruptly as events shift perspective after every chapter but it's splendidly done; thought provoking and philosophical in alternate doses.
This is the type of book where one reads fast in order to get to the seemingly absent bottom (while in truth, the reader is ascending along with the group) and yet not wanting the plot to conclude; one of my best reads this year so far. I'll definitely be looking out for more from Nicholas Binge in the future, and I wholeheartedly recommend this.
2023 Read
Ascension is a beautifully written piece of weird fiction with literary pretensions (well deserved), some sci-fi elements and some horror that is told from the perspective of Harold Turnmore as a series of post hoc letters to his niece after the fact of events several decades later. The book is absolutely brilliant!
Mr. Harold Turnmore is our resident genius and he's recruited by some shadowy government type military figures for a curious expedition to investigate an anomaly out in the middle of the Pacific. A gigantic mountain has just appeared out of thin air and the first team to traverse it has failed to return...
Reality appears fluid and time dilates and runs in flows that tide and ebb all along their climb, with weird visions and glimpses of the future seeming to be a regular occurrence to some while things continually seem to be getting out of whack the further they climb. The formation of the mountain itself is an unusual mishmash, with strange creatures and microbes comprised of just RNA; will they be able to puzzle out this mysterious phenomena of the mountain and its surrounds or would it be their undoing?
The prose is utterly captivating and descriptive, making events ride in on an atmospheric fog that turns into a full blown blizzard towards the ending. Its smoothness and flow gets interrupted abruptly as events shift perspective after every chapter but it's splendidly done; thought provoking and philosophical in alternate doses.
This is the type of book where one reads fast in order to get to the seemingly absent bottom (while in truth, the reader is ascending along with the group) and yet not wanting the plot to conclude; one of my best reads this year so far. I'll definitely be looking out for more from Nicholas Binge in the future, and I wholeheartedly recommend this.
2023 Read
May 15, 2023
2.5/5 very conflicted stars
Ascension was one of my most anticipated speculative/sci-fi releases of 2023, because of its intriguing concept, as well as comparisons to books like Annihilation and Thin Air: A Ghost Story. In the end, I was left feeling very conflicted. The majority of what want to discuss is spoiler-filled, so I’ll divide this review into three parts: synopsis, spoiler-free opinions, and the spoiler-discussion. Please proceed with caution in the final section!
Synopis
An enormous, mysterious mountain has appeared in the Pacific Ocean. No one knows when exactly it showed up, precisely how big it might be, or how to explain its existence. An expedition-team, made up of mostly scientists from different fields, is gathered for a daring mission to scale the mountain and uncover its secrets. Amongst them is the brilliant physicist and former medical doctor Harold Tunmore.
Years later, his brother finds a collection of journals and unsent letters he composed, chronicling the events on the mountain as they unfolded. Will these letters finally bring closure as to what happened, or perhaps offer more questions than answers instead.
Spoiler-free thoughts:
Ascension felt like a book with an identity crisis. It’s a strange mixture of smart speculative concepts, and some of the worst dialogue and cheesy, cliché reveals I’ve read in a B-horror. Had Binge taken the concept fully either way, I think I would have loved this more. As an example: I love Annihilation and its full embrace of the strange and metaphysical. But I also love The Anomaly for being an unashamed camp fest. This mixes elements of both these books in ways that don’t quite jell together, taking away from what could’ve been great.
I also didn’t enjoy this epistolary format of the book. I have nothing against epistolary novels in general, but it mismatched with the high-stake and at times high-paced nature of the story. I kept asking myself: when between life-threatening events exactly did the protagonist sit down to leisurely write these letters?
SPOILERS
Ascension was one of my most anticipated speculative/sci-fi releases of 2023, because of its intriguing concept, as well as comparisons to books like Annihilation and Thin Air: A Ghost Story. In the end, I was left feeling very conflicted. The majority of what want to discuss is spoiler-filled, so I’ll divide this review into three parts: synopsis, spoiler-free opinions, and the spoiler-discussion. Please proceed with caution in the final section!
Synopis
An enormous, mysterious mountain has appeared in the Pacific Ocean. No one knows when exactly it showed up, precisely how big it might be, or how to explain its existence. An expedition-team, made up of mostly scientists from different fields, is gathered for a daring mission to scale the mountain and uncover its secrets. Amongst them is the brilliant physicist and former medical doctor Harold Tunmore.
Years later, his brother finds a collection of journals and unsent letters he composed, chronicling the events on the mountain as they unfolded. Will these letters finally bring closure as to what happened, or perhaps offer more questions than answers instead.
Spoiler-free thoughts:
Ascension felt like a book with an identity crisis. It’s a strange mixture of smart speculative concepts, and some of the worst dialogue and cheesy, cliché reveals I’ve read in a B-horror. Had Binge taken the concept fully either way, I think I would have loved this more. As an example: I love Annihilation and its full embrace of the strange and metaphysical. But I also love The Anomaly for being an unashamed camp fest. This mixes elements of both these books in ways that don’t quite jell together, taking away from what could’ve been great.
I also didn’t enjoy this epistolary format of the book. I have nothing against epistolary novels in general, but it mismatched with the high-stake and at times high-paced nature of the story. I kept asking myself: when between life-threatening events exactly did the protagonist sit down to leisurely write these letters?
SPOILERS
February 2, 2024
2/5 Estrellas
La respuesta a las grandes preguntas de la Humanidad: quienes somos, de donde venimos, a donde vamos (si, como la canción de Siniestro Total), cómo surgió la vida, qué hay más allá de la muerte, qué o quien rige nuestras vida y nuestro destino, son algunos de los interrogantes que suelen atraerme de una obra de CF.
En el caso de "Ascensión", a la vista de la sinopsis y de algunas reseñas que he leído, parece que el libro iba por estos derroteros y por eso me había resultado atractivo a priori.
El libro empieza bien, pero a medida que avanzaba la historia, ha ido degenerando de tal manera que me ha costaba pasar de capítulo, más que a los protagonistas avanzar por uno de los páramos helados de la montaña en la que se desarrolla la trama.
Todo se vertebra alrededor de una mole montañosa y helada, que aparece de la nada en mitad del Pacífico. Una vez descubierta, parece que las grandes potencias mundiales se disponen a investigar que está sucediendo reclutando equipos de científicos, eminencias en variados campos del conocimiento humano.
Pero en el entorno de la montaña hay ciertos aspectos de la física que no se comportan de forma normal. El autor nos plantea una trama interesante basada en conceptos como el espacio-tiempo, las bases moleculares de la vida (ADN versus ARN), me ha sorprendido con apuntes sobre la microbiota y su influencia en el organismo humano y al final nos acaba endosando una historia grotesca en la que nuestros investigadores y expedicionarios acaban a tiros con criaturas tentaculares de 4 ojos (y no sigo que no quiero hacer spoiler).
Una penita, la verdad. Hasta el final es lamentable, absolutamente falto de originalidad. Quizá el último canto de sirena del libre albedrío humano, le ha salvado una estrella.
Pues me he quedado sin respuestas originales y disfrutables, que me hagan pensar, a las trascendentales preguntas planteadas....que le vamos a hacer. Cuan lejos de la sutileza y profundidad cósmica que nos planteaba el "monolito" de Clark.
La respuesta a las grandes preguntas de la Humanidad: quienes somos, de donde venimos, a donde vamos (si, como la canción de Siniestro Total), cómo surgió la vida, qué hay más allá de la muerte, qué o quien rige nuestras vida y nuestro destino, son algunos de los interrogantes que suelen atraerme de una obra de CF.
En el caso de "Ascensión", a la vista de la sinopsis y de algunas reseñas que he leído, parece que el libro iba por estos derroteros y por eso me había resultado atractivo a priori.
El libro empieza bien, pero a medida que avanzaba la historia, ha ido degenerando de tal manera que me ha costaba pasar de capítulo, más que a los protagonistas avanzar por uno de los páramos helados de la montaña en la que se desarrolla la trama.
Todo se vertebra alrededor de una mole montañosa y helada, que aparece de la nada en mitad del Pacífico. Una vez descubierta, parece que las grandes potencias mundiales se disponen a investigar que está sucediendo reclutando equipos de científicos, eminencias en variados campos del conocimiento humano.
Pero en el entorno de la montaña hay ciertos aspectos de la física que no se comportan de forma normal. El autor nos plantea una trama interesante basada en conceptos como el espacio-tiempo, las bases moleculares de la vida (ADN versus ARN), me ha sorprendido con apuntes sobre la microbiota y su influencia en el organismo humano y al final nos acaba endosando una historia grotesca en la que nuestros investigadores y expedicionarios acaban a tiros con criaturas tentaculares de 4 ojos (y no sigo que no quiero hacer spoiler).
Una penita, la verdad. Hasta el final es lamentable, absolutamente falto de originalidad. Quizá el último canto de sirena del libre albedrío humano, le ha salvado una estrella.
Pues me he quedado sin respuestas originales y disfrutables, que me hagan pensar, a las trascendentales preguntas planteadas....que le vamos a hacer. Cuan lejos de la sutileza y profundidad cósmica que nos planteaba el "monolito" de Clark.
June 1, 2023
Exactly what I needed after a long week of studying: a slightly over the top book with sufficient suspense and supernatural events to keep me engaged
Now and then I would feel out of sync with the world, as if it is some giant secret that I am not allowed into, and that I am completely disconnected with both the past and the present.
Really enjoyed this fast paced book, which felt to me like Annihilation without much credible horror. Glimpses of Interstellar come back as well, and some of the musings on dimensions and free will can compete with Liu Cixin his work.
Ascension is far from perfect, following Harold Turnmore through letters to his niece. He seems a disturbed man, locked in an asylum, and his story is incredible, revolving around a mysterious mountain, larger than Mount Everest, appearing in the Pacific Ocean.
Sisyphus and predestination vs premonition form important themes.
Besides the mountain ascent, which quickly turns out to be challenging (Things have become a little complicated) Harold is steeped in a lot of guilt about his past.
The epistolary format, flowing from a brother who finds Harold in an asylum, reminded me a bit of Dracula, and feels a bit off given the super high stakes that Nicholas Binge infuses into the story (e.g. we know that Harold survives his ordeal).
Deja vu’s are seemingly coming to life, there are anomalies, contemplations on religion and a a mysterious ex wife Naoko Tanaka.
The vibe of predestination versus free will is strong, with one of the character poignantly arguing the seeing into his future gave him more choice about Achilles.
There is no way of this mountain that isn’t up, and while this goals seems constant, people are changing.
The obsession of the expeditions to Antarctica, or other rugged regions where people die trying to achieve a far flung goal, is very successfully conjured.
At times the book felt videogame like, and many characters seem a bit cardboard like, but still this was an enjoyable book which raises interesting questions and themes.
Now and then I would feel out of sync with the world, as if it is some giant secret that I am not allowed into, and that I am completely disconnected with both the past and the present.
Really enjoyed this fast paced book, which felt to me like Annihilation without much credible horror. Glimpses of Interstellar come back as well, and some of the musings on dimensions and free will can compete with Liu Cixin his work.
Ascension is far from perfect, following Harold Turnmore through letters to his niece. He seems a disturbed man, locked in an asylum, and his story is incredible, revolving around a mysterious mountain, larger than Mount Everest, appearing in the Pacific Ocean.
Sisyphus and predestination vs premonition form important themes.
Besides the mountain ascent, which quickly turns out to be challenging (Things have become a little complicated) Harold is steeped in a lot of guilt about his past.
The epistolary format, flowing from a brother who finds Harold in an asylum, reminded me a bit of Dracula, and feels a bit off given the super high stakes that Nicholas Binge infuses into the story (e.g. we know that Harold survives his ordeal).
Deja vu’s are seemingly coming to life, there are anomalies, contemplations on religion and a a mysterious ex wife Naoko Tanaka.
The vibe of predestination versus free will is strong, with one of the character poignantly arguing the seeing into his future gave him more choice about Achilles.
There is no way of this mountain that isn’t up, and while this goals seems constant, people are changing.
The obsession of the expeditions to Antarctica, or other rugged regions where people die trying to achieve a far flung goal, is very successfully conjured.
At times the book felt videogame like, and many characters seem a bit cardboard like, but still this was an enjoyable book which raises interesting questions and themes.
November 1, 2022
Read an arc - very much enjoyed. I suspect this will be a marmite book for some folks due to the themes and the metaphysical concepts touched on, but I really enjoyed it. Very unusual with a strong neurodivergent protagonist. I don't know if that was the author's intent but the MC is very, very autistic as written, and as described.
October 24, 2023
Ascensión es una novela de terror cósmico de Nicholas Binge publicada en español por Minotauro.
Si tuviera que resumirla con 3 palabras serían: 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿í𝗮 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗼.
La trama sigue la línea de En las montañas de la locura hasta más o menos la mitad de la novela, cuando se desvía del clásico de Lovecraft para contar su propia historia.
Una misteriosa montaña, mucho más alta que el Everest, aparece de pronto en mitad del océano y un grupo de militares y científicos van a realizar un ascenso para estudiarla tras el fracaso de la primera expedición. Pero no están preparados para lo que les aguarda en la montaña y tendrán que luchar para regresar con vida.
Lo primero que quiero decir es que si queréis leer la novela, leed primero el relato de Lovecraft, creo que se disfruta más de esa forma y se captan todas las referencias.
Es un ejemplo perfecto de terror cósmico, ya no solo por las criaturas lovecraftnianas que aparecen, sino también por su planteamiento sobre la no linealidad del tiempo y el espacio. Además la ambientación en un lugar remoto y hostil, en este caso una montaña helada, para mí fue muy efectivo y os juro que lo pasé mal!!
Otro consejo es que leáis con atención y que no tengáis reparos en releer párrafos, ya que hay conceptos algo complicados de entender.
En resumen, le he puesto 4/5⭐️ y ha hecho me entren muchas ganas de leer más terror cósmico. Sin lugar a dudas os la recomiendo!!
Si tuviera que resumirla con 3 palabras serían: 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿í𝗮 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗼.
La trama sigue la línea de En las montañas de la locura hasta más o menos la mitad de la novela, cuando se desvía del clásico de Lovecraft para contar su propia historia.
Una misteriosa montaña, mucho más alta que el Everest, aparece de pronto en mitad del océano y un grupo de militares y científicos van a realizar un ascenso para estudiarla tras el fracaso de la primera expedición. Pero no están preparados para lo que les aguarda en la montaña y tendrán que luchar para regresar con vida.
Lo primero que quiero decir es que si queréis leer la novela, leed primero el relato de Lovecraft, creo que se disfruta más de esa forma y se captan todas las referencias.
Es un ejemplo perfecto de terror cósmico, ya no solo por las criaturas lovecraftnianas que aparecen, sino también por su planteamiento sobre la no linealidad del tiempo y el espacio. Además la ambientación en un lugar remoto y hostil, en este caso una montaña helada, para mí fue muy efectivo y os juro que lo pasé mal!!
Otro consejo es que leáis con atención y que no tengáis reparos en releer párrafos, ya que hay conceptos algo complicados de entender.
En resumen, le he puesto 4/5⭐️ y ha hecho me entren muchas ganas de leer más terror cósmico. Sin lugar a dudas os la recomiendo!!
May 6, 2023
Ascension by Nicholas Binge is an epistolary novel where well-respected physicist, Harry Tunmore, documents the investigation of the scientific team he is a part of, who are exploring the bizarre appearance of a giant mountain that has formed in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Although immensely bright and talented, Harry is a loner who has isolated himself from family, friends, and loved ones. This self-inflicted penance has allowed Harry to excel in his scientific field, travelling the world, building his reputation, and leading him to be respected enough to be a part of this exploration team. He has hardened his heart when it comes to feeling and emotions.
This makes it slightly surprising that he writes the letters expressing the strange and beyond comprehensible happenings on the mountain to his niece, Harriet. The letters act as chapters and occasionally feature editor's notes which usually reference the letters' dates or conditions (how worn etc...), adding an extra layer to the peculiarities that take place on the mountain.
"IF YOU EVER READ THIS. TELL OTHERS. DON'T COME HERE."
The above statements were on the advanced review copy I received for this novel and intrigued me enough to start reading straight away. Ascension gripped me from the moment I started reading, and, throughout, is a high-octane, science-fiction thriller, littered with intelligent and dynamic set-pieces. Approximately 70% of the novel takes place on the mountain yet this narrative never becomes dull or predictable.
Binge writes well, with real clarity as he brings the drama to life, set against this almost otherworldly backdrop. Some sections of Ascension are science-heavy, relating to and referencing many theories that are far too advanced for my understanding. This did not take away from my enjoyment, and, if anything, heightened my empathy for the characters as they, some of the cleverest minds on the planet, were left baffled by the unexplainable.
Ascension features some excellent character creations and these are brought to life by Harry's descriptions and impressions regarding personalities and motives. High-intensity adventurer Bettan and military affiliate The Warden are great supporting characters, as is the scientist Naoko, whose path with Harry has crossed prior to them being reacquainted on the mountain.
Around 20% of Ascension is comprised of flashbacks and although I did not enjoy these as much as the scenes set around investigating the mountain, they are a welcome change in pace and culminate excellently (although slightly predictably); shedding light on the reasons for Harry's isolation and almost stoic nature. These past events are normally revealed to coincide with an update that occurs on the mountain and feature knowledge-nuggets that enhanced the main story timeline. For example, indicating why he is writing to Harriet, and explaining the relationship situations with other members of his family.
Ascension is a stimulating and hard-to-put-down 300-page science thriller. It is complex, clever, thought-provoking, and thoroughly intriguing, with some fascinating concepts with regards to time and predicting the future, and our understanding of humans, nature, and the universe. 8/10.
Although immensely bright and talented, Harry is a loner who has isolated himself from family, friends, and loved ones. This self-inflicted penance has allowed Harry to excel in his scientific field, travelling the world, building his reputation, and leading him to be respected enough to be a part of this exploration team. He has hardened his heart when it comes to feeling and emotions.
This makes it slightly surprising that he writes the letters expressing the strange and beyond comprehensible happenings on the mountain to his niece, Harriet. The letters act as chapters and occasionally feature editor's notes which usually reference the letters' dates or conditions (how worn etc...), adding an extra layer to the peculiarities that take place on the mountain.
"IF YOU EVER READ THIS. TELL OTHERS. DON'T COME HERE."
The above statements were on the advanced review copy I received for this novel and intrigued me enough to start reading straight away. Ascension gripped me from the moment I started reading, and, throughout, is a high-octane, science-fiction thriller, littered with intelligent and dynamic set-pieces. Approximately 70% of the novel takes place on the mountain yet this narrative never becomes dull or predictable.
Binge writes well, with real clarity as he brings the drama to life, set against this almost otherworldly backdrop. Some sections of Ascension are science-heavy, relating to and referencing many theories that are far too advanced for my understanding. This did not take away from my enjoyment, and, if anything, heightened my empathy for the characters as they, some of the cleverest minds on the planet, were left baffled by the unexplainable.
Ascension features some excellent character creations and these are brought to life by Harry's descriptions and impressions regarding personalities and motives. High-intensity adventurer Bettan and military affiliate The Warden are great supporting characters, as is the scientist Naoko, whose path with Harry has crossed prior to them being reacquainted on the mountain.
Around 20% of Ascension is comprised of flashbacks and although I did not enjoy these as much as the scenes set around investigating the mountain, they are a welcome change in pace and culminate excellently (although slightly predictably); shedding light on the reasons for Harry's isolation and almost stoic nature. These past events are normally revealed to coincide with an update that occurs on the mountain and feature knowledge-nuggets that enhanced the main story timeline. For example, indicating why he is writing to Harriet, and explaining the relationship situations with other members of his family.
Ascension is a stimulating and hard-to-put-down 300-page science thriller. It is complex, clever, thought-provoking, and thoroughly intriguing, with some fascinating concepts with regards to time and predicting the future, and our understanding of humans, nature, and the universe. 8/10.
Read
July 13, 2023I'm dnf'ing at 30%. I just can't get into the story and my library loan expires soon. Maybe I'll try it later again, I'm not rating.
December 10, 2023
Terror al más puro estilo H.P. Lovecraft.
LOS COJONES.
Me calmo. Ya sabemos como de deshonestas pueden ser las sobrecubiertas de algunos libros, como de ruines las estrategias para vender como caviar esferas de Magnetix. Pero esto es otro nivel de desvergüenza, una obra de marketing tan minuciosamente diseñada que casi hace pensar que Nicholas Binge no es un autor sensu stricto, sino una IA a la que la editorial ha cogido cariño: el libro, nada más ser publicado, se traduce inmediatamente a todos los idiomas posibles, y estoy seguro de que alguna productora ya se habrá hecho con los derechos para llevarla al cine o, peor aún, a serie.
Una montaña más grande que el Everest aparece en mitad del océano Pacífico. Nadie sabe que hace ahí, su naturaleza es incomprensible y desconocida y la orogenia que la ha generado ajena a las leyes físicas de nuestro planeta. Como seres humanos que somos, nuestro cerebro de polilla nos obliga a coronarla. Para ello, se recluta a un equipo científico compuesto por un físico, un químico, un geólogo, una bióloga, un antropólogo y varios militares, entre ellos, un experto escalador encantado de conocerse. Conforme la expedición vaya ascendiendo irá sufriendo no solo los rigores propios de la altura, el frio y la escasez de oxígeno, sino una serie de alteraciones de la percepción provocadas por las singulares propiedades físicas del orógeno.
A priori, la sinopsis es muy interesante. El misterio es sólido, queremos saber más de la montaña y todo lo que la rodea: quién o qué la ha puesto ahí, por qué esta ahí, qué efectos está produciendo sobre los protagonistas y qué secreto se oculta en la cima. Pero son muchos los obstáculos a los que nos vamos a enfrentar como lectores: el ascenso de los personajes es complicado, pero nadie va a aplaudir nuestros esfuerzos por llegar al final de este pedazo de ficción especulativa de parvulario. Permitidme que enumere los principales problemas que han convertido esto en mi peor lectura del año:
-El horror cósmico son los padres: toda la historia se nos cuenta a modo de manuscrito encontrado: el hermano del narrador, tras décadas sin tener noticias de él, descubre que éste no solo no estaba muerto sino que llevaba años recluido en un asilo psiquiátrico después de una perdida de cordura masiva. El narrador, como decía, mantenía una correspondencia unilateral con su sobrina en la que relata todas sus vivencias como miembro de la expedición, toda su aventura, todas sus miserias; no sirve solo como cuaderno de bitácora, el narrador usa las cartas también como una terapia de exégesis, y a su sobrina como confesora. Es decir, menuda chapa le da a la pobre cría. Este recurso es algo muy propio de Lovecraft. Recordemos, por ejemplo, la primera línea de Dagón: Escribo esto bajo una fuerte tensión mental, ya que cuando llegue la noche habré dejado de existir . El solitario de Providence gustaba de usar este recurso para reforzar el momento en que el protagonista se sume en la locura ¿Cuál es el problema de este recurso? Cuando lees Dagón de adolescente su desarrollo y final te estremecen, cuando vuelves años después el cuento te produce ternura: qué hace ese narrador psicótico, acechado, según el, por criaturas anfibias que desafían nuestra comprensión, escribiendo cómo está siendo acosado por dichas abominaciones en vez de salir por patas. Es bastante ridículo. Puedes perdonarle este recurso a Lovecraft en su calidad de pionero y por el buen resultado que obtiene con el crescendo final. Pero en esta novela, que un tío esté narrando toda la acción en forma de carta, diálogos incluidos, que incluso se permita en algunos momentos marcarse un Dagón, esto es, escribir como le están atacando lo que sea que le está atacando en ese mismo instante, hace que toda la historia resulte artificial, increíble y falsa. Si al menos tuviéramos un narrador no fiable, si al menos las cartas se volvieran más ininteligibles e inconexas, reflejando ese descenso a la locura conforme más cerca de la cima se encuentra el narrador, podría aplaudir esta decisión estilística, pero es que esto jamás ocurre; si acaso al final se observa esta pretensión, en el que el autor se permite introducir una serie de pasajes delirantes, con mucho brilli-brilli, colores psicodélicos y fractales (por que, si para Lovecraft el terror innominado carece de forma, para Binge el horror absoluto es un salvapantallas del Windows 98). Pero no en el resto de la narración, el resto de la narración esta contada como lo estaría cualquier historia con un narrador protagonista, llena de descripciones concisas, con secuencias coherentes y diálogos perfectamente transcritos. Es imposible creerte no ya la portentosa memoria del narrador para plasmar todo lo vivido en un día sometido a un estrés constante tanto por las implacables condiciones meteorológicas como por las muchas amenazas tentaculares -ya llegaremos a eso-, sino que utilice las cartas a su sobrina como ancla que le conecte con la realidad, pues en ningún momento, como digo, se nota la perdida de control o la merma de sus facultades mentales. De hecho, es el propio narrador el que, de manera explicita, nos comparte que está perdiendo sus facultades mentales, pero como lector nunca lo percibes en su escritura. En resumen, si no aprovechas las fortalezas de un recurso tan limitado, criticado incluso en autores más consagrados y mejores que tu, para qué lo pones siquiera.
"Julio, pero es que una novela de ciencia ficción, nada de lo que estas leyendo es real". Que te pires.
Otra cosa: ¿Qué es el horror cósmico? Os comparto la definición estándar y consensuada del concepto, bastante subjetivo y siempre polémico. Dice así: el horror que el ser humano siente al reconocerse insignificante dentro del gran mapa de la existencia intergaláctica, una especie más sin importancia cuya vida dura lo que un parpadeo y susceptible de desaparecer por cualquier hecho contingente ¿Hace referencia esta definición a los tentáculos? No. Entonces, ¿por qué carajo cualquier pastiche pretendidamente lovecraftiano, por el hecho de tener criaturas cefalópodas y tentaculares, se lo adscribe a este género con tanta ligereza? Es el club más inclusivo del mundo. Por supuesto, en esta montaña hay chopitos asesinos de otra dimensión ¿Es spoiler? No, es lovecraftiano. Pero no solo hay criaturas. Recordemos que los personajes, conforme avanzan, van ganando en conocimientos que resquebrajan todas sus preconcepciones e trastocan su percepción de la realidad. Estos conocimientos constituyen la ciencia ficción del libro, y si tuviera que definirlo sin destripar el """"sorprendente"""" final del libro diría que son un coctel extraño entre Aniquilación de VanderMeer, relatividad general y otros elementos que no mencionaré. Los temas de ciencia ficción de la novela son casi de parvulario, tratados de manera tan superficial que llega un momento en que no tienen peso real en la trama. Por ejemplo, el origen de la montaña se despacha como si tal cosa en un momento del libro, o la vida basada en el ARN -que aunque aquí digan que los ARN virus no son seres vivos lo son, teóricamente- que funciona brevemente como misterio accesorio a la ya misteriosa naturaleza de la montaña pero que apenas se desarrolla ni explica. Todos estos elementos científicos buscan producir ese vértigo cósmico, intentan relativizar al máximo la existencia humana y limitarla a un grumo de protoplasma, siendo la conciencia un accidente fortuito, o no. Pero es un engaño, un trampantojo, pues el final Binge deja bastante claro que el ser humano no es insignificante en absoluto. Y me voy a callar aquí. Solo diré que hay más horror cósmico en ciertos pasajes de El origen de las especies y en las ecuaciones de Heissenberg que en cualquier párrafo de esta novela.
-Mi mamá me ha dicho que soy muy guapo y muy listo: nuestro protagonista es un genio. Su hermano lo reconoce como genio, todos los que están a su alrededor alaban su inteligencia, tal es su destreza en el campo de la medicina que se le queda pequeño y decide hacerse físico teórico, campo en el que, por supuesto, también sobresale. De hecho, el intelecto del narrador es tan portentoso y único que su mirada destila inteligencia, que sus relaciones interpersonales son limitadas porque nadie puede acercarse a su brillantez. Bien, no veréis nunca al personaje hacer algo inteligente en la novela, ni un acto ni una deducción brillante que no se le haya revelado antes o que cualquiera con dos dedos de frente y mínimos conocimientos científicos podría hacer. Solo hay una acción brillante que hace, y ni siquiera te explican cómo la hace, simplemente sabes que es tan inteligente -porque recordémoslo, es un genio- que te crees que pueda hacerlo, aunque no se te explique. Como todos los personajes que son lumbreras absolutas, tienen que tener un ligero componente autista (porque Una mente maravillosa ha hecho mucho daño), componente que, como ocurre con su inteligencia, explicita constantemente el narrador y el resto de personajes, pero que nunca detectas en sus interacciones con el resto de personajes, ni en sus cadenas de razonamientos, ni en sus reflexiones ni en su forma de redactar. Más que un componente autista, lo que parece es un gilipollas. Eso sí, un gilipollas con demonios debido a la, y cito textualmente, "conmovedora historia de amor" que mantuvo con uno de los miembros de la anterior expedición que trataron de coronar la montaña. No voy a entrar en ella, pero digamos que esa "conmovedora" historia de amor la has visto mil veces si tus padres duermen la siesta con la película alemana del domingo por la tarde de fondo.
Con este punto solo pretendo reivindicar el muy manido principio de "muestra no cuentes": no me digas que tu personaje es muy inteligente, muéstrame esa inteligencia con sus acciones. Si no lo haces me obligas a pensar dos cosas: uno, que no eres lo suficientemente inteligente y creativo para escribir personajes inteligentes o, dos, me estas tomando por idiota. Y no te culpo por hacerlo, pues bien imbécil he sido de terminar el libro.
El resto de personajes no tienen tampoco un mejor desarrollo que el narrador. Si ni el protagonista está desarrollado cómo lo van a estar los secundarios y los comparsas. Entre todo el género de carnaza destacaré al escalador australiano, veterano de guerra retirado, escalador avezado y gilipollas profesional, que ves comportándose desde el minuto uno como un ídem pero no como una persona arrogante, pese a que todo el mundo solo señala este rasgo secundario de su carácter como el más llamativo del mismo (quizá la novela intenta comunicarse sutilmente con nosotros, quién sabe...); Naoko, médico, expareja del narrador y única superviviente de la anterior expedición, que actúa como cicerone enloquecido durante la subida y anima al protagonista a exorcizar esa gran transgresión que cometió en su pasado; Thomas, el geólogo (o químico, se me ha olvidado) que cree en Dios, porque la fe también es muy importante en esta novela (igualito que en Lovecraft, muy conocido por su religiosidad); y el Guardian, el organizador de la expedición, un tío tan intenso y ridículo que se pone alias como si fuera el protagonista de un fanfic escrito por un chaval de 14 años. Hay más personajes, por supuesto, todo un surtido Cuétara de víctimas que importan tanto como sangrientas sean sus defunciones.
Ese esteta llamado Dan Brown: Aquí quizá estoy siendo cruel de manera gratuita; no como antes, por supuesto. La escritura de Binge es aburrida como pocas, plana, insípida, funcional en la acción y pedagógica cuando toca explicar los pocos científicos que aparecen. La voz del narrador no varía ni cuando esta tranquilo en la cabaña, desnudando su alma, ni cuando está delirando a causa de la montaña y los monstruos que en ella se ocultan. Ni siquiera se percibe ese toque autista en la escritura al que el resto de personajes siempre hacen referencia cuando hablan del narrador. Es el estilo descafeinado, para tontos, propio del bestseller más convencional y fabricado. Por compararlo con dos novelas de ciencia ficción que leí antes y después de ésta, Ray Nayler consigue imprimir mucha fuerza y originalidad a la hora de abordar qué es la conciencia en La montaña en el mar, y Swanwick da a Atrapados en la prehistoria ese toque gamberro necesario para hacer convincente toda la serie B que rodea a su trama. Binge no tiene ninguna personalidad. Y, ojo, enseña literatura en la universidad, así que imagino que escribir sabe escribir. Aunque, desde luego, este libro no sea el mejor ejemplo.
Una videorreseña realizada por una famosa booktuber que no mencionare, pero cuyo criterio respeto enormemente, añade como subtitulo a su video un suculento "Lovecraft estaría orgulloso". Por mi parte, lo dudo mucho. Lovecraft hubiera reaccionado a este pastiche como reaccionaba a las creaciones de sus seguidores más jóvenes, como Barlow o Bloch, con paternalismo y cierta condescendencia, el orgullo silencioso de un padre que alaba el talento artístico de su hijo de cinco años, aunque los gatos no tengan tres patas y los seres humanos no sean tan altos como los árboles. Porque Lovecraft podía ser un racista, sí, pero ante todo era un caballero, y un caballero no dice nunca a la cara que tu trabajo no vale y que no entiendes su filosofía del terror. Lovecraft nunca aceptó la cosmogonía maniquea en que August Derleth convirtió los Mitos de Cthulhu -leñe, si ni siquiera aceptó la existencia de los Mitos como una mitología-, no me creo que fuera a aceptar que el ser humano fuera la especie predestinada a la excelencia como hace Binge. Para Lovecraft la conciencia era un accidente del proceso evolutivo, no un logro. Esta novela es un bestseller con toques de ciencia ficción y terror, y como buen bestseller, ninguno de sus elementos está lo suficientemente desarrollado como para que resulte un desafío para el potencial lector.
No os recomiendo leer Ascensión. Es probablemente el peor libro que he leído este año. Que coño, ES el peor libro que he leído este año.
LOS COJONES.
Me calmo. Ya sabemos como de deshonestas pueden ser las sobrecubiertas de algunos libros, como de ruines las estrategias para vender como caviar esferas de Magnetix. Pero esto es otro nivel de desvergüenza, una obra de marketing tan minuciosamente diseñada que casi hace pensar que Nicholas Binge no es un autor sensu stricto, sino una IA a la que la editorial ha cogido cariño: el libro, nada más ser publicado, se traduce inmediatamente a todos los idiomas posibles, y estoy seguro de que alguna productora ya se habrá hecho con los derechos para llevarla al cine o, peor aún, a serie.
Una montaña más grande que el Everest aparece en mitad del océano Pacífico. Nadie sabe que hace ahí, su naturaleza es incomprensible y desconocida y la orogenia que la ha generado ajena a las leyes físicas de nuestro planeta. Como seres humanos que somos, nuestro cerebro de polilla nos obliga a coronarla. Para ello, se recluta a un equipo científico compuesto por un físico, un químico, un geólogo, una bióloga, un antropólogo y varios militares, entre ellos, un experto escalador encantado de conocerse. Conforme la expedición vaya ascendiendo irá sufriendo no solo los rigores propios de la altura, el frio y la escasez de oxígeno, sino una serie de alteraciones de la percepción provocadas por las singulares propiedades físicas del orógeno.
A priori, la sinopsis es muy interesante. El misterio es sólido, queremos saber más de la montaña y todo lo que la rodea: quién o qué la ha puesto ahí, por qué esta ahí, qué efectos está produciendo sobre los protagonistas y qué secreto se oculta en la cima. Pero son muchos los obstáculos a los que nos vamos a enfrentar como lectores: el ascenso de los personajes es complicado, pero nadie va a aplaudir nuestros esfuerzos por llegar al final de este pedazo de ficción especulativa de parvulario. Permitidme que enumere los principales problemas que han convertido esto en mi peor lectura del año:
-El horror cósmico son los padres: toda la historia se nos cuenta a modo de manuscrito encontrado: el hermano del narrador, tras décadas sin tener noticias de él, descubre que éste no solo no estaba muerto sino que llevaba años recluido en un asilo psiquiátrico después de una perdida de cordura masiva. El narrador, como decía, mantenía una correspondencia unilateral con su sobrina en la que relata todas sus vivencias como miembro de la expedición, toda su aventura, todas sus miserias; no sirve solo como cuaderno de bitácora, el narrador usa las cartas también como una terapia de exégesis, y a su sobrina como confesora. Es decir, menuda chapa le da a la pobre cría. Este recurso es algo muy propio de Lovecraft. Recordemos, por ejemplo, la primera línea de Dagón: Escribo esto bajo una fuerte tensión mental, ya que cuando llegue la noche habré dejado de existir . El solitario de Providence gustaba de usar este recurso para reforzar el momento en que el protagonista se sume en la locura ¿Cuál es el problema de este recurso? Cuando lees Dagón de adolescente su desarrollo y final te estremecen, cuando vuelves años después el cuento te produce ternura: qué hace ese narrador psicótico, acechado, según el, por criaturas anfibias que desafían nuestra comprensión, escribiendo cómo está siendo acosado por dichas abominaciones en vez de salir por patas. Es bastante ridículo. Puedes perdonarle este recurso a Lovecraft en su calidad de pionero y por el buen resultado que obtiene con el crescendo final. Pero en esta novela, que un tío esté narrando toda la acción en forma de carta, diálogos incluidos, que incluso se permita en algunos momentos marcarse un Dagón, esto es, escribir como le están atacando lo que sea que le está atacando en ese mismo instante, hace que toda la historia resulte artificial, increíble y falsa. Si al menos tuviéramos un narrador no fiable, si al menos las cartas se volvieran más ininteligibles e inconexas, reflejando ese descenso a la locura conforme más cerca de la cima se encuentra el narrador, podría aplaudir esta decisión estilística, pero es que esto jamás ocurre; si acaso al final se observa esta pretensión, en el que el autor se permite introducir una serie de pasajes delirantes, con mucho brilli-brilli, colores psicodélicos y fractales (por que, si para Lovecraft el terror innominado carece de forma, para Binge el horror absoluto es un salvapantallas del Windows 98). Pero no en el resto de la narración, el resto de la narración esta contada como lo estaría cualquier historia con un narrador protagonista, llena de descripciones concisas, con secuencias coherentes y diálogos perfectamente transcritos. Es imposible creerte no ya la portentosa memoria del narrador para plasmar todo lo vivido en un día sometido a un estrés constante tanto por las implacables condiciones meteorológicas como por las muchas amenazas tentaculares -ya llegaremos a eso-, sino que utilice las cartas a su sobrina como ancla que le conecte con la realidad, pues en ningún momento, como digo, se nota la perdida de control o la merma de sus facultades mentales. De hecho, es el propio narrador el que, de manera explicita, nos comparte que está perdiendo sus facultades mentales, pero como lector nunca lo percibes en su escritura. En resumen, si no aprovechas las fortalezas de un recurso tan limitado, criticado incluso en autores más consagrados y mejores que tu, para qué lo pones siquiera.
"Julio, pero es que una novela de ciencia ficción, nada de lo que estas leyendo es real". Que te pires.
Otra cosa: ¿Qué es el horror cósmico? Os comparto la definición estándar y consensuada del concepto, bastante subjetivo y siempre polémico. Dice así: el horror que el ser humano siente al reconocerse insignificante dentro del gran mapa de la existencia intergaláctica, una especie más sin importancia cuya vida dura lo que un parpadeo y susceptible de desaparecer por cualquier hecho contingente ¿Hace referencia esta definición a los tentáculos? No. Entonces, ¿por qué carajo cualquier pastiche pretendidamente lovecraftiano, por el hecho de tener criaturas cefalópodas y tentaculares, se lo adscribe a este género con tanta ligereza? Es el club más inclusivo del mundo. Por supuesto, en esta montaña hay chopitos asesinos de otra dimensión ¿Es spoiler? No, es lovecraftiano. Pero no solo hay criaturas. Recordemos que los personajes, conforme avanzan, van ganando en conocimientos que resquebrajan todas sus preconcepciones e trastocan su percepción de la realidad. Estos conocimientos constituyen la ciencia ficción del libro, y si tuviera que definirlo sin destripar el """"sorprendente"""" final del libro diría que son un coctel extraño entre Aniquilación de VanderMeer, relatividad general y otros elementos que no mencionaré. Los temas de ciencia ficción de la novela son casi de parvulario, tratados de manera tan superficial que llega un momento en que no tienen peso real en la trama. Por ejemplo, el origen de la montaña se despacha como si tal cosa en un momento del libro, o la vida basada en el ARN -que aunque aquí digan que los ARN virus no son seres vivos lo son, teóricamente- que funciona brevemente como misterio accesorio a la ya misteriosa naturaleza de la montaña pero que apenas se desarrolla ni explica. Todos estos elementos científicos buscan producir ese vértigo cósmico, intentan relativizar al máximo la existencia humana y limitarla a un grumo de protoplasma, siendo la conciencia un accidente fortuito, o no. Pero es un engaño, un trampantojo, pues el final Binge deja bastante claro que el ser humano no es insignificante en absoluto. Y me voy a callar aquí. Solo diré que hay más horror cósmico en ciertos pasajes de El origen de las especies y en las ecuaciones de Heissenberg que en cualquier párrafo de esta novela.
-Mi mamá me ha dicho que soy muy guapo y muy listo: nuestro protagonista es un genio. Su hermano lo reconoce como genio, todos los que están a su alrededor alaban su inteligencia, tal es su destreza en el campo de la medicina que se le queda pequeño y decide hacerse físico teórico, campo en el que, por supuesto, también sobresale. De hecho, el intelecto del narrador es tan portentoso y único que su mirada destila inteligencia, que sus relaciones interpersonales son limitadas porque nadie puede acercarse a su brillantez. Bien, no veréis nunca al personaje hacer algo inteligente en la novela, ni un acto ni una deducción brillante que no se le haya revelado antes o que cualquiera con dos dedos de frente y mínimos conocimientos científicos podría hacer. Solo hay una acción brillante que hace, y ni siquiera te explican cómo la hace, simplemente sabes que es tan inteligente -porque recordémoslo, es un genio- que te crees que pueda hacerlo, aunque no se te explique. Como todos los personajes que son lumbreras absolutas, tienen que tener un ligero componente autista (porque Una mente maravillosa ha hecho mucho daño), componente que, como ocurre con su inteligencia, explicita constantemente el narrador y el resto de personajes, pero que nunca detectas en sus interacciones con el resto de personajes, ni en sus cadenas de razonamientos, ni en sus reflexiones ni en su forma de redactar. Más que un componente autista, lo que parece es un gilipollas. Eso sí, un gilipollas con demonios debido a la, y cito textualmente, "conmovedora historia de amor" que mantuvo con uno de los miembros de la anterior expedición que trataron de coronar la montaña. No voy a entrar en ella, pero digamos que esa "conmovedora" historia de amor la has visto mil veces si tus padres duermen la siesta con la película alemana del domingo por la tarde de fondo.
Con este punto solo pretendo reivindicar el muy manido principio de "muestra no cuentes": no me digas que tu personaje es muy inteligente, muéstrame esa inteligencia con sus acciones. Si no lo haces me obligas a pensar dos cosas: uno, que no eres lo suficientemente inteligente y creativo para escribir personajes inteligentes o, dos, me estas tomando por idiota. Y no te culpo por hacerlo, pues bien imbécil he sido de terminar el libro.
El resto de personajes no tienen tampoco un mejor desarrollo que el narrador. Si ni el protagonista está desarrollado cómo lo van a estar los secundarios y los comparsas. Entre todo el género de carnaza destacaré al escalador australiano, veterano de guerra retirado, escalador avezado y gilipollas profesional, que ves comportándose desde el minuto uno como un ídem pero no como una persona arrogante, pese a que todo el mundo solo señala este rasgo secundario de su carácter como el más llamativo del mismo (quizá la novela intenta comunicarse sutilmente con nosotros, quién sabe...); Naoko, médico, expareja del narrador y única superviviente de la anterior expedición, que actúa como cicerone enloquecido durante la subida y anima al protagonista a exorcizar esa gran transgresión que cometió en su pasado; Thomas, el geólogo (o químico, se me ha olvidado) que cree en Dios, porque la fe también es muy importante en esta novela (igualito que en Lovecraft, muy conocido por su religiosidad); y el Guardian, el organizador de la expedición, un tío tan intenso y ridículo que se pone alias como si fuera el protagonista de un fanfic escrito por un chaval de 14 años. Hay más personajes, por supuesto, todo un surtido Cuétara de víctimas que importan tanto como sangrientas sean sus defunciones.
Ese esteta llamado Dan Brown: Aquí quizá estoy siendo cruel de manera gratuita; no como antes, por supuesto. La escritura de Binge es aburrida como pocas, plana, insípida, funcional en la acción y pedagógica cuando toca explicar los pocos científicos que aparecen. La voz del narrador no varía ni cuando esta tranquilo en la cabaña, desnudando su alma, ni cuando está delirando a causa de la montaña y los monstruos que en ella se ocultan. Ni siquiera se percibe ese toque autista en la escritura al que el resto de personajes siempre hacen referencia cuando hablan del narrador. Es el estilo descafeinado, para tontos, propio del bestseller más convencional y fabricado. Por compararlo con dos novelas de ciencia ficción que leí antes y después de ésta, Ray Nayler consigue imprimir mucha fuerza y originalidad a la hora de abordar qué es la conciencia en La montaña en el mar, y Swanwick da a Atrapados en la prehistoria ese toque gamberro necesario para hacer convincente toda la serie B que rodea a su trama. Binge no tiene ninguna personalidad. Y, ojo, enseña literatura en la universidad, así que imagino que escribir sabe escribir. Aunque, desde luego, este libro no sea el mejor ejemplo.
Una videorreseña realizada por una famosa booktuber que no mencionare, pero cuyo criterio respeto enormemente, añade como subtitulo a su video un suculento "Lovecraft estaría orgulloso". Por mi parte, lo dudo mucho. Lovecraft hubiera reaccionado a este pastiche como reaccionaba a las creaciones de sus seguidores más jóvenes, como Barlow o Bloch, con paternalismo y cierta condescendencia, el orgullo silencioso de un padre que alaba el talento artístico de su hijo de cinco años, aunque los gatos no tengan tres patas y los seres humanos no sean tan altos como los árboles. Porque Lovecraft podía ser un racista, sí, pero ante todo era un caballero, y un caballero no dice nunca a la cara que tu trabajo no vale y que no entiendes su filosofía del terror. Lovecraft nunca aceptó la cosmogonía maniquea en que August Derleth convirtió los Mitos de Cthulhu -leñe, si ni siquiera aceptó la existencia de los Mitos como una mitología-, no me creo que fuera a aceptar que el ser humano fuera la especie predestinada a la excelencia como hace Binge. Para Lovecraft la conciencia era un accidente del proceso evolutivo, no un logro. Esta novela es un bestseller con toques de ciencia ficción y terror, y como buen bestseller, ninguno de sus elementos está lo suficientemente desarrollado como para que resulte un desafío para el potencial lector.
No os recomiendo leer Ascensión. Es probablemente el peor libro que he leído este año. Que coño, ES el peor libro que he leído este año.
April 27, 2023
Thin Air meets Event Horizon is my quick pitch for Nicholas Binge’s second novel, a mind-bending, reality-splitting adventure in which a reluctant scientist joins a crew climbing an impossible mountain. I was surprised by how different this is from the author’s debut, the excellent Professor Everywhere; it’s significantly more high-octane and much more ambitious in scope, with forays into horror territory that lean towards the bloody.
Physicist Harold Tunmore is missing for almost 30 years before his brother discovers him living, anonymously, in a psychiatric hospital. His story is told via a cache of letters written by Harold to his niece. These chart a mission he claims to have been a part of: in 1991, he was (so he says) one of a group put together to scale and research an immense mountain that materialised out of nowhere in the middle of the ocean. It’s a place where people are not themselves and time appears altered – and the further the team go, the weirder things get. Ascension is packed with dramatic scenes and eerie dialogue that give it a particularly cinematic feel. I especially loved how Binge developed the character of Jet (who gets all the best lines). Yet it also has room for contemplative, even philosophical moments and a solid backstory for Harold. A wonderfully wild ride that’s a cut above your average sci-fi blockbuster.
I received an advance review copy of Ascension from the publisher through NetGalley.
Physicist Harold Tunmore is missing for almost 30 years before his brother discovers him living, anonymously, in a psychiatric hospital. His story is told via a cache of letters written by Harold to his niece. These chart a mission he claims to have been a part of: in 1991, he was (so he says) one of a group put together to scale and research an immense mountain that materialised out of nowhere in the middle of the ocean. It’s a place where people are not themselves and time appears altered – and the further the team go, the weirder things get. Ascension is packed with dramatic scenes and eerie dialogue that give it a particularly cinematic feel. I especially loved how Binge developed the character of Jet (who gets all the best lines). Yet it also has room for contemplative, even philosophical moments and a solid backstory for Harold. A wonderfully wild ride that’s a cut above your average sci-fi blockbuster.
I received an advance review copy of Ascension from the publisher through NetGalley.
May 1, 2023
Nicholas Binge’s novel draws on a range of genres and influences from the cosmic horror of Lovecraft’s At the Mountains of Madness to shades of gothic reminiscent of H. Rider Haggard’s ripping yarns, with a dash of the kind of speculative fiction I associate with writers like Lincoln Michel and even a hint of M. R. James. It revolves round the discovery of the “Turnmore letters” written in the early 90s. Ben Turnmore’s brother Harold disappeared in 1990 but is suddenly found thirty years later. Rambling and incoherent, Harold guards a horde of letters addressed, but never sent, to his young niece Harriet. These tell of an ill-fated expedition to an ice-covered mountain that suddenly appeared in the midst of the South Pacific, an unholy place riddled with spatial and temporal anomalies. Harold is part of a team of expert researchers and former military dispatched there in search of answers and opportunities.
Although it’s clunky and melodramatic in places, sometimes woefully overwritten, this is still fairly decent holiday or commuter fare – I imagine elements will be familiar to anyone conversant with the subgenre from the requisite evil corporation with its tight-lipped representatives to snippets of mythology and literature through to meandering existential questions. The central plot rests on themes of faith and free will, complete with C. S. Lewis references, and these are not issues I personally find appealing. However, Harold’s an unexpectedly sympathetic character, although his portrayal as a socially-awkward, possibly neurodiverse, science obsessive is rather heavy-handed. The mountain also unexpectedly reunites Harold with former wife Dr Naoka Tanaka stirring vivid memories of the traumatic event that led to their parting years before. I was in two minds about their storyline, their circumstances and their past are poignant enough but sometimes over-egged in ways that strained my credibility. But overarching credibility isn’t really the point of this kind of narrative, a diverting, gripping page-turner with an abundance of pulpy material, much of which I found surprisingly enjoyable - especially the tentacled creatures who lurk in the mountain’s shadows.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher HarperVoyager for an ARC
Rating: 2.5
Although it’s clunky and melodramatic in places, sometimes woefully overwritten, this is still fairly decent holiday or commuter fare – I imagine elements will be familiar to anyone conversant with the subgenre from the requisite evil corporation with its tight-lipped representatives to snippets of mythology and literature through to meandering existential questions. The central plot rests on themes of faith and free will, complete with C. S. Lewis references, and these are not issues I personally find appealing. However, Harold’s an unexpectedly sympathetic character, although his portrayal as a socially-awkward, possibly neurodiverse, science obsessive is rather heavy-handed. The mountain also unexpectedly reunites Harold with former wife Dr Naoka Tanaka stirring vivid memories of the traumatic event that led to their parting years before. I was in two minds about their storyline, their circumstances and their past are poignant enough but sometimes over-egged in ways that strained my credibility. But overarching credibility isn’t really the point of this kind of narrative, a diverting, gripping page-turner with an abundance of pulpy material, much of which I found surprisingly enjoyable - especially the tentacled creatures who lurk in the mountain’s shadows.
Thanks to Netgalley and publisher HarperVoyager for an ARC
Rating: 2.5
July 13, 2023
Rating: 4.35
Yet another debut novel whose author shows promise by engaging the reader with one of the most unique, mystifying and unusual plots in publishing. A genre bending story that evolves like life itself.
Nearly 30 years after Harold Tunsmore, an introverted, emotionally dysfunctional yet brilliant scientist disappears, his brother gets a tip that he's being cared for in a facility for the aging. The reunion is filled with questions of which most are answered in a decrepit stack of 'letters' addressed to his niece, Hattie. The story opens after Harold splits with his wife, Naoko due to his mistake that cost the life of their adopted son, Santi.
A scientist, doctor and professor whose known for his paranormal research, Tunsmore is offered an opportunity to join an expedition to study the reason behind the appearance of a 40,000 foot mountain in the Pacific. Known as The Warden, the leader informs him the multi-billion dollar corporation funding the project requires specifics to be kept confidential. As bait, Harry learns Naoko is one of several members of the research group.
The letters to Hattie read more like a narrative then memoirs complete with dialog and details, but its what they hold that captures the reader's attention. With backgrounds in geology, archeology, medicine, rock climbing and physics, the group Harry meets upon arrival is formidable. But the shock of the erratic emotional condition of his wife raises questions.
Under strict rules and regulations, the group is given a presentation at Base Camp that the goal is to ascend to the summit which they suspect may hold the key to the mountain's appearance. The scientists huddle together and in the process learn they're have been others before them. When Harold encounters Naoko, he's shocked by her strange behavior, the first of many oddities that surface. Behaviors and emotional status of the group become erratic as they make their way to Camp 2, 3 and beyond. A physicist by nature, Harold can't help but notice a strange, unexplained shift in the time/space continuum. Seeing her husband again after his sudden departure, Naoko's love heals her behavior and she confidentially shares details of previous group members. A turning point, Harold confronts the Warden about the deception which triggers a snowball of events.
With the window of time closing, the group struggles with oxygen deprivation, sub zero temperatures and violent behavior of the leaders. Harold and Naoko bond with a couple of the others are led to a dark cave for shelter and its here 'leviathan creatures' are discovered. Odd-shaped with slimy razor sharp tentacles, with four eyes in the center of their bodies, when injured bluish colored 'blood' spews from their bodies. A team member is killed by one and the Warden puts everyone on alert. While in the cave, Tunsmore notices that time appears to slow and deducts the caves are 'folds' in the time/space continuum.
As they near the top, hieroglyphic type carvings in cave walls dating back millenniums are discovered and with them, questions of the origin of the mountain. Between the time/space portals, alien creatures, abhorrent team behavior and oxygen starvation, strange occurrences become the norm while members drop like flies. Momentum builds rapidly toward the end giving it a page turner feel as well.
Immersive in nature, the story has a 'Space Odyssey' element and filled with unusual plot twists. Mystery, science fiction and the origins of life make for a fascinating reading experience. Highly recommended for those who seek something different.
Yet another debut novel whose author shows promise by engaging the reader with one of the most unique, mystifying and unusual plots in publishing. A genre bending story that evolves like life itself.
Nearly 30 years after Harold Tunsmore, an introverted, emotionally dysfunctional yet brilliant scientist disappears, his brother gets a tip that he's being cared for in a facility for the aging. The reunion is filled with questions of which most are answered in a decrepit stack of 'letters' addressed to his niece, Hattie. The story opens after Harold splits with his wife, Naoko due to his mistake that cost the life of their adopted son, Santi.
A scientist, doctor and professor whose known for his paranormal research, Tunsmore is offered an opportunity to join an expedition to study the reason behind the appearance of a 40,000 foot mountain in the Pacific. Known as The Warden, the leader informs him the multi-billion dollar corporation funding the project requires specifics to be kept confidential. As bait, Harry learns Naoko is one of several members of the research group.
The letters to Hattie read more like a narrative then memoirs complete with dialog and details, but its what they hold that captures the reader's attention. With backgrounds in geology, archeology, medicine, rock climbing and physics, the group Harry meets upon arrival is formidable. But the shock of the erratic emotional condition of his wife raises questions.
Under strict rules and regulations, the group is given a presentation at Base Camp that the goal is to ascend to the summit which they suspect may hold the key to the mountain's appearance. The scientists huddle together and in the process learn they're have been others before them. When Harold encounters Naoko, he's shocked by her strange behavior, the first of many oddities that surface. Behaviors and emotional status of the group become erratic as they make their way to Camp 2, 3 and beyond. A physicist by nature, Harold can't help but notice a strange, unexplained shift in the time/space continuum. Seeing her husband again after his sudden departure, Naoko's love heals her behavior and she confidentially shares details of previous group members. A turning point, Harold confronts the Warden about the deception which triggers a snowball of events.
With the window of time closing, the group struggles with oxygen deprivation, sub zero temperatures and violent behavior of the leaders. Harold and Naoko bond with a couple of the others are led to a dark cave for shelter and its here 'leviathan creatures' are discovered. Odd-shaped with slimy razor sharp tentacles, with four eyes in the center of their bodies, when injured bluish colored 'blood' spews from their bodies. A team member is killed by one and the Warden puts everyone on alert. While in the cave, Tunsmore notices that time appears to slow and deducts the caves are 'folds' in the time/space continuum.
As they near the top, hieroglyphic type carvings in cave walls dating back millenniums are discovered and with them, questions of the origin of the mountain. Between the time/space portals, alien creatures, abhorrent team behavior and oxygen starvation, strange occurrences become the norm while members drop like flies. Momentum builds rapidly toward the end giving it a page turner feel as well.
Immersive in nature, the story has a 'Space Odyssey' element and filled with unusual plot twists. Mystery, science fiction and the origins of life make for a fascinating reading experience. Highly recommended for those who seek something different.
April 30, 2023
I can’t believe I’ve had to read not one but two dumb sci-fi novels titled (In) Ascension this year. I mean, what are the odds?! Not only is the title the same but the plot AND the main character are basically the same! Yikes. The main difference is that In Ascension has better writing (but believe me, the bar is low).
I should never have gone past the Kindle sample for Ascension, but I just want to read sci-fi so bad that I told myself not to be a snob and give it a chance. I feel like this is a genre that can be truly mind blowing if done well, but there’s also a good reason the literary “establishment” tends to look down on it because oh boy is there some bad writing, and we definitely have that here.
Why I should’ve abandoned ship by the second chapter: I know some people explicitly like it, but in my opinion the epistolary format simply does not work in 90% of cases. Here in this case the choice to go for a second person/ letter perspective is downright egregious.
The recipient of the letters, the main character’s teenage niece, makes ZERO SENSE. We learn in the first chapter that they barely interacted and now he’s suddenly addressing her as if she’s been privy to random life events of his? Not even mentioning how it’s apparently appropriate to talk about him boning his wife! HOW did the author or his editors not realise at some point that this is ridiculous? Why not just throw out the letter format altogether or at least have him write a personal journal? Not sure if you can tell, but I’m already getting worked up again by how stupid of a writing choice this is. Ugh.
Second, just like in its titular twin In Ascension, the main character is a complete and total bore. Even worse actually, he’s an emotionally stunted idiot savant or something. His fictional biography is one of the most ridiculous ones I’ve ever seen: completely estranged from his family for no reason (who he’s nevertheless writing page long soppy letters to years later), he’s of course a genius, so he becomes a medical doctor (a man, mind you, who does not understand human emotions whatsoever and has no desire to help or cure people - just why??), but then suddenly he’s a world renowned physicist (?) who gets called on to advise police in a foreign country about a murder (??) because the murderer used geometric patterns (???). He’s also been educated in reading facial micro expressions.
I mean for fucks sake. It just feels like the author wanted to make sure we understood his protagonist was a genius and he knows Einstein = physicist = genius, so that’s the profession the protagonist has to have, with zero regard or understanding of what a physicist is or does.
Next - again mirroring In Ascension - there’s no humour or sarcasm to be found anywhere. Now of course not every book has to be humorous. But the situation this protagonist finds himself in is so absurd, even the most literal minded person would react to that. Just so you know what I mean - the main character checks into his hotel room (and yes I don’t know and don’t care what his name is), and inside are two weird af “government agents” who want something from him while they obviously can’t share any info because it’s “more top secret than you can imagine”. He asks for their names; one of them never says a peep and the other one says, straight faced, “you can call me The Warden”. Main character then proceeds to refer to this guy as “The Warden” without even the tiniest smidgen of “yeah this is ridiculous”.
Okay, this rant has gone on for too long considering I DNF’d at 17%, but I’ll leave you with this bonus dumb: main character meets an old colleague of his who has mysteriously turned into a clairvoyant robot. Old colleague says to him, mysteriously, “why does Sisyphus keep pushing the rock up the mountain?” This is obviously treated as a deep thought and main character ponders Sisyphus’ thought process because he’s a genius. Mate. I… I don’t even. Sisyphus doesn’t want to keep pushing up the rock. He was cursed to do it for all eternity, by his gods. He has no choice in the matter. Guess they didn’t teach that in genius school.
I should never have gone past the Kindle sample for Ascension, but I just want to read sci-fi so bad that I told myself not to be a snob and give it a chance. I feel like this is a genre that can be truly mind blowing if done well, but there’s also a good reason the literary “establishment” tends to look down on it because oh boy is there some bad writing, and we definitely have that here.
Why I should’ve abandoned ship by the second chapter: I know some people explicitly like it, but in my opinion the epistolary format simply does not work in 90% of cases. Here in this case the choice to go for a second person/ letter perspective is downright egregious.
The recipient of the letters, the main character’s teenage niece, makes ZERO SENSE. We learn in the first chapter that they barely interacted and now he’s suddenly addressing her as if she’s been privy to random life events of his? Not even mentioning how it’s apparently appropriate to talk about him boning his wife! HOW did the author or his editors not realise at some point that this is ridiculous? Why not just throw out the letter format altogether or at least have him write a personal journal? Not sure if you can tell, but I’m already getting worked up again by how stupid of a writing choice this is. Ugh.
Second, just like in its titular twin In Ascension, the main character is a complete and total bore. Even worse actually, he’s an emotionally stunted idiot savant or something. His fictional biography is one of the most ridiculous ones I’ve ever seen: completely estranged from his family for no reason (who he’s nevertheless writing page long soppy letters to years later), he’s of course a genius, so he becomes a medical doctor (a man, mind you, who does not understand human emotions whatsoever and has no desire to help or cure people - just why??), but then suddenly he’s a world renowned physicist (?) who gets called on to advise police in a foreign country about a murder (??) because the murderer used geometric patterns (???). He’s also been educated in reading facial micro expressions.
I mean for fucks sake. It just feels like the author wanted to make sure we understood his protagonist was a genius and he knows Einstein = physicist = genius, so that’s the profession the protagonist has to have, with zero regard or understanding of what a physicist is or does.
Next - again mirroring In Ascension - there’s no humour or sarcasm to be found anywhere. Now of course not every book has to be humorous. But the situation this protagonist finds himself in is so absurd, even the most literal minded person would react to that. Just so you know what I mean - the main character checks into his hotel room (and yes I don’t know and don’t care what his name is), and inside are two weird af “government agents” who want something from him while they obviously can’t share any info because it’s “more top secret than you can imagine”. He asks for their names; one of them never says a peep and the other one says, straight faced, “you can call me The Warden”. Main character then proceeds to refer to this guy as “The Warden” without even the tiniest smidgen of “yeah this is ridiculous”.
Okay, this rant has gone on for too long considering I DNF’d at 17%, but I’ll leave you with this bonus dumb: main character meets an old colleague of his who has mysteriously turned into a clairvoyant robot. Old colleague says to him, mysteriously, “why does Sisyphus keep pushing the rock up the mountain?” This is obviously treated as a deep thought and main character ponders Sisyphus’ thought process because he’s a genius. Mate. I… I don’t even. Sisyphus doesn’t want to keep pushing up the rock. He was cursed to do it for all eternity, by his gods. He has no choice in the matter. Guess they didn’t teach that in genius school.
August 17, 2022
My super-savvy colleague Virginia first shared her love of this powerful read. Her deep love of science, paired with an appreciation for exquisitely written storylines sold me.
It's as delightful to say there's not much to compare to this read - unique in our business is rare, but it's also challenging as I want you to immediately grasp the full grandeur and urgency in this narrative. The most linear author's I'd compare it to are Andy Weir, and Max Barry.
It traverses the boundaries of psychology, humanity, and our conception and bond with faith, as well as having a definitively powerful parent/child thread throughout the read too.
This encompasses the astonishing limits we'll push ourselves to~ plus! a wicked mystery that pulls you forward the entire time!
If this wasn't all enough?! It's based on true events!!! (mind-blowing)
Galley borrowed from the publisher.
It's as delightful to say there's not much to compare to this read - unique in our business is rare, but it's also challenging as I want you to immediately grasp the full grandeur and urgency in this narrative. The most linear author's I'd compare it to are Andy Weir, and Max Barry.
It traverses the boundaries of psychology, humanity, and our conception and bond with faith, as well as having a definitively powerful parent/child thread throughout the read too.
This encompasses the astonishing limits we'll push ourselves to~ plus! a wicked mystery that pulls you forward the entire time!
If this wasn't all enough?! It's based on true events!!! (mind-blowing)
Galley borrowed from the publisher.
Read
June 12, 2023Just want to thank the King for his recommendation. This wasn't on my radar, and I probably wouldn't have picked this one up, so I'm very thankful to King that he pointed me toward this book. A full response very soon, I enjoyed my time in this book. A new author to watch.
June 23, 2023
Fantastic 5* sci-fi book.
I am not a big sci-fi reader. Lately I have run across several books of this genre that have kept me spellbound until the last page.
I’ve taken a few days to let this marinate. There’s a mountain that has mysteriously appeared. A team of selected scientists and other learned folks have been assembled to scale this seemingly unscalable obstacle. They love each other - they hate each other, both in varying degrees. They meet challenges that I almost believe could exist.
The book left me scratching my head wondering about the validity/existence of the challenge.
Five brilliant stars for this one. Highly recommended. It might just get you hooked on sci-fi.
I am not a big sci-fi reader. Lately I have run across several books of this genre that have kept me spellbound until the last page.
I’ve taken a few days to let this marinate. There’s a mountain that has mysteriously appeared. A team of selected scientists and other learned folks have been assembled to scale this seemingly unscalable obstacle. They love each other - they hate each other, both in varying degrees. They meet challenges that I almost believe could exist.
The book left me scratching my head wondering about the validity/existence of the challenge.
Five brilliant stars for this one. Highly recommended. It might just get you hooked on sci-fi.
August 9, 2023
I enjoyed this book. Strange things quickly began to happen as Harold climbed to the top of a mountain that appeared out of nowhere. Its ending was twisty, reminiscent of the Netflix series 1899. It’s hard to write a review without giving away spoilers… Read it if you like weird stuff, I guess. 😂
January 2, 2023
The book equivalent of a Christopher Nolan movie there is no higher praise than that
December 15, 2022
I was very excited to get my hands on this ARC because Nicholas Binge’s debut, Professor Everywhere, is one of my favorite books. While Ascension is not a favorite, I did enjoy it quite a bit. It gave me strong Jeff VanderMeer Annihilation vibes and that book is also one of my favorites. In Ascension, we have a group of soldiers and experts-a biologist, physicist, chemist, geologist, and anthropologist-exploring this mountain that literally popped out of thin air. Along the way they experience some strange anomalies that are both alarming and exciting. It’s truly mind-bending and several unexpected things happen. It definitely took a direction I was not expecting. My only gripe is that it felt like there were too many ideas and things happening. While it all comes together at the end, it still felt a bit too much.
The epistolary format is not my favorite, I tend to avoid it, but it worked here to a degree. I don’t think it was entirely necessary to be told that way but I suppose it added to the overall mystery. Overall, this is a complex sci-fi mystery that will have you questioning reality from the start. It’s suspenseful, gripping, and intricate.
Also side note, as an anthropology major I was happy to see an anthropologist character but why does media always gotta make the anthropologist creepy lol.
The epistolary format is not my favorite, I tend to avoid it, but it worked here to a degree. I don’t think it was entirely necessary to be told that way but I suppose it added to the overall mystery. Overall, this is a complex sci-fi mystery that will have you questioning reality from the start. It’s suspenseful, gripping, and intricate.
Also side note, as an anthropology major I was happy to see an anthropologist character but why does media always gotta make the anthropologist creepy lol.
April 30, 2023
The book begins with a foreword from Ben Tunmore whose brother, Harold, a scientist of strange phenomena has been missing for 30yrs.
Ben finds him in a psychiatric hospital where he has been since he disappeared but, he is changed and is not making sense. Before he went missing he sent 3 letters to his niece, Harriet (Ben’s daughter) and in his room in the hospital Ben finds the rest of the letters he never sent. The rest of the book is told through these letters and his ascension with a team of experts, brought together by a covert organisation, to the summit of the biggest mountain on earth that has suddenly appeared from nowhere in the Pacific ocean and what they discovered.
Part sci-fi, part mystery, part thriller, part horror, an enthralling journey of a read which twists time and gives a real sense of the growing paranoia of the characters. The characters are in turn fascinating and annoying with back stories that twist and turn. The mountain ascent is ominous and creepy with treacherous conditions and a feeling of imminent doom.
This was a fantastic read and I could not put it down.
#NetGalley #Ascension
Ben finds him in a psychiatric hospital where he has been since he disappeared but, he is changed and is not making sense. Before he went missing he sent 3 letters to his niece, Harriet (Ben’s daughter) and in his room in the hospital Ben finds the rest of the letters he never sent. The rest of the book is told through these letters and his ascension with a team of experts, brought together by a covert organisation, to the summit of the biggest mountain on earth that has suddenly appeared from nowhere in the Pacific ocean and what they discovered.
Part sci-fi, part mystery, part thriller, part horror, an enthralling journey of a read which twists time and gives a real sense of the growing paranoia of the characters. The characters are in turn fascinating and annoying with back stories that twist and turn. The mountain ascent is ominous and creepy with treacherous conditions and a feeling of imminent doom.
This was a fantastic read and I could not put it down.
#NetGalley #Ascension
September 5, 2023
A mind-bending journey into time, space, and the essence of the human condition. Following a disillusioned scientist as he fights to unlock the mysteries of a reality defying mountain, Ascension is not just a claustrophobic account of survival against the elements and the unknown, but also a highly introspective musing on what it means to be human. The use of time is not just a method of unease and uncertainty, but a look into how our memories both haunt and inspire us, how time marches on, and we must make sense of what we can before it runs out. An interesting blend of sci-fi, speculative fiction, and horror, this is a novel that makes for several existential conversations upon finishing.
May 19, 2023
(1.5)
Oof. This is the third subpar sci-fi book I’ve read this week and easily the worst of the bunch. This book is exceedingly stupid and unintentionally corny.
Gonna spoil one of the reveals for you because it’s so dumb:
The bad guy in their midst is named Neil Amai… which, you may have already noticed, spells “I am alien” backwards. So embarrassing. How does shit like this get published?
Oof. This is the third subpar sci-fi book I’ve read this week and easily the worst of the bunch. This book is exceedingly stupid and unintentionally corny.
Gonna spoil one of the reveals for you because it’s so dumb:
The bad guy in their midst is named Neil Amai… which, you may have already noticed, spells “I am alien” backwards. So embarrassing. How does shit like this get published?
December 16, 2023
Very mixed feelings!
If you are a fan of Blake Crouch's sci-fi thrillers then think book is worth checking out. I was absolutely hooked on the first 60% of this story, but unfortunately, the last act became a bit too wild for my taste. Nonetheless, I had an overall good time with this novel.
3.5 / 5
If you are a fan of Blake Crouch's sci-fi thrillers then think book is worth checking out. I was absolutely hooked on the first 60% of this story, but unfortunately, the last act became a bit too wild for my taste. Nonetheless, I had an overall good time with this novel.
3.5 / 5
January 16, 2023
A mystery. We all love them.
This book has the greatest mystery of them all. How has a mountain suddenly appeared in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? Where has it come from?
A group of scientists, each from a different specialist field, are sent up the mountain to answer this question.
But the mountain seems to have a mind of its own. Strange things start to happen. Time moves differently. People’s personalities change. Why is this?
The mystery intensifies with every page. I was absolutely drawn into the science, theories, conjecture and debate. But the real drama was contained within the mind of our protagonist, Harold Turnmore.
With a hard climb ahead of him and hours of solitude, Harold begins to think on his past, a past he has carefully locked away. However, while he tries to unlock the mountain’s secrets, his own secrets begin to spill out. What we find is a story of love, grief, tragedy, and a quest to belong – and this gives the story all its heart. Both Santi and Naoko have lived in my mind since finishing the book – and it is the relationship between Harold, Naoko and Santi that reveals the biggest questions of them all. What is it to love? What is it to forgive? What is it to endure?
I think people will love this book for different reasons. Some will be drawn to the science, some to the action, some to the internal thoughts of Harold. In that sense, it is a book that will fuel many a conversation – and I expect to see that discussion unfolding when the book is released. Some may find elements controversial, others may find parts pushing boundaries.
But isn’t that the point?
And more to think on…
Can a mountain really exist if no one knows it’s there?
What if we all already know the mountain is there… and have forgotten?
For more reviews go to my website at www.shaunalawless.com
This book has the greatest mystery of them all. How has a mountain suddenly appeared in the middle of the Pacific Ocean? Where has it come from?
A group of scientists, each from a different specialist field, are sent up the mountain to answer this question.
But the mountain seems to have a mind of its own. Strange things start to happen. Time moves differently. People’s personalities change. Why is this?
The mystery intensifies with every page. I was absolutely drawn into the science, theories, conjecture and debate. But the real drama was contained within the mind of our protagonist, Harold Turnmore.
With a hard climb ahead of him and hours of solitude, Harold begins to think on his past, a past he has carefully locked away. However, while he tries to unlock the mountain’s secrets, his own secrets begin to spill out. What we find is a story of love, grief, tragedy, and a quest to belong – and this gives the story all its heart. Both Santi and Naoko have lived in my mind since finishing the book – and it is the relationship between Harold, Naoko and Santi that reveals the biggest questions of them all. What is it to love? What is it to forgive? What is it to endure?
I think people will love this book for different reasons. Some will be drawn to the science, some to the action, some to the internal thoughts of Harold. In that sense, it is a book that will fuel many a conversation – and I expect to see that discussion unfolding when the book is released. Some may find elements controversial, others may find parts pushing boundaries.
But isn’t that the point?
And more to think on…
Can a mountain really exist if no one knows it’s there?
What if we all already know the mountain is there… and have forgotten?
For more reviews go to my website at www.shaunalawless.com
June 17, 2023
I’m not normally a fan of the epistolary format, but in this case it works well. This is a nice genre bending horror story that recalls the tension of the unknown and unknowable in books like Thin Air: A Ghost Story by Michelle Paver and Jeff Vandemeer’s Annihilation.
There's no time. At camp with cold winds. Deathly winds. We have lost men, I think, how many I don't know, the things have been driven back by something. Gunfire. Blood on the snow. Creatures in the night. I am going to leave my tent to see if I can do anything. Shouts for help are drowned by the wind. Blood on my hands. Creatures in the camp. I am going to leave my tent now. If you ever read this, tell others. Don't come here. Don't come here.
There's no time. At camp with cold winds. Deathly winds. We have lost men, I think, how many I don't know, the things have been driven back by something. Gunfire. Blood on the snow. Creatures in the night. I am going to leave my tent to see if I can do anything. Shouts for help are drowned by the wind. Blood on my hands. Creatures in the camp. I am going to leave my tent now. If you ever read this, tell others. Don't come here. Don't come here.
May 7, 2023
On my blog.
Galley provided by publisher
Ascension is one of those science fiction books that has you whispering what the fuck in progressively more freaked out tones as the book goes on. It’s a mindfuck of the best sort.
Presented as a book of letters from a physicist named Harold Tunmore, the story follows a group of researchers investigating a mysterious mountain that has risen up in the centre of the Pacific Ocean. They aren’t the first expedition to do so, though, and their apparently military handlers are close-lipped about what they know so far.
The framing of the story as a series of letters, the timings of which are ambiguous, let’s say, works very well here, I think. You get into Tunmore’s head without it feeling too introspective at the cost of things happening. It’s also a good vehicle for all of the flashbacks, which are slowly uncovered as the plot thickens, with a narrator who is aware of the things he doesn’t want to talk about (while still, for narrative purposes, hinting at them).
As well as this, it’s also very well written and absorbing. Once I’d started it, it had me sucked in and I didn’t want to put it down. In fact, I read the bulk of it in a single sitting because of it. One caveat is probably that I didn’t care much about the characters, only where they were headed in terms of plot. This is not that much of an issue — it’s not to say I didn’t like them, but I never cared about them for the sake of anything but where they’d go next. Plus, they never really felt that fleshed out, even Naoko who you might expect to be — this could be a result of the letter writing format, though. So, it’s a good thing the plot was as compelling as it was.
I was also a little on the fence about the reveal at the end. It made for an interesting discussion I think, one that was probably telegraphed throughout the book, but it felt a little out of the left field. I suppose if it had clicked, what with all the discussions between Jet and Thomas and Harry, then I wouldn’t have felt that way. But it does bring me to another point, which is that I appreciated that there were themes to this book, that it had been thought through with depth. There was a lot to get your teeth into and mull over.
So, if this isn’t on your TBR yet, then you need to rectify that immediately. Trust me on this one.
Galley provided by publisher
Ascension is one of those science fiction books that has you whispering what the fuck in progressively more freaked out tones as the book goes on. It’s a mindfuck of the best sort.
Presented as a book of letters from a physicist named Harold Tunmore, the story follows a group of researchers investigating a mysterious mountain that has risen up in the centre of the Pacific Ocean. They aren’t the first expedition to do so, though, and their apparently military handlers are close-lipped about what they know so far.
The framing of the story as a series of letters, the timings of which are ambiguous, let’s say, works very well here, I think. You get into Tunmore’s head without it feeling too introspective at the cost of things happening. It’s also a good vehicle for all of the flashbacks, which are slowly uncovered as the plot thickens, with a narrator who is aware of the things he doesn’t want to talk about (while still, for narrative purposes, hinting at them).
As well as this, it’s also very well written and absorbing. Once I’d started it, it had me sucked in and I didn’t want to put it down. In fact, I read the bulk of it in a single sitting because of it. One caveat is probably that I didn’t care much about the characters, only where they were headed in terms of plot. This is not that much of an issue — it’s not to say I didn’t like them, but I never cared about them for the sake of anything but where they’d go next. Plus, they never really felt that fleshed out, even Naoko who you might expect to be — this could be a result of the letter writing format, though. So, it’s a good thing the plot was as compelling as it was.
I was also a little on the fence about the reveal at the end. It made for an interesting discussion I think, one that was probably telegraphed throughout the book, but it felt a little out of the left field. I suppose if it had clicked, what with all the discussions between Jet and Thomas and Harry, then I wouldn’t have felt that way. But it does bring me to another point, which is that I appreciated that there were themes to this book, that it had been thought through with depth. There was a lot to get your teeth into and mull over.
So, if this isn’t on your TBR yet, then you need to rectify that immediately. Trust me on this one.
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