Time(Baxter novel)
 First edition (UK) | |
| Author | Stephen Baxter |
|---|---|
| Original title | Time |
| Cover artist | Tony and Daphine Hallas/Science Photo Library |
| Language | English |
| Series | Manifold |
| Genre | Science fiction |
| Publisher | Voyager(UK) Del Rey Books(USA) |
Publication date | 1999 |
| Publication place | United Kingdom |
| Media type | Print (hardback & paperback) |
| Pages | 456 |
| ISBN | 0-00-225768-8 |
| OCLC | 41258602 |
| Followed by | Manifold: Space |
Manifold: Timeis a 1999 science fiction novel byStephen Baxter.It is the first of Baxter'sManifold Trilogy(the others beingManifold: SpaceandManifold: Origin), although the books can be read in any order because the series takes place in amultiverse.
The book was nominated for the 2000Arthur C. Clarke Award.[1]
Plot summary
[edit]Timeis set on Earth, the inner part of theSolar Systemand various otheruniversesonwards from the 21st century. The novel covers a wide range of topics, including theDoomsday argument,Fermi paradox,genetic engineering,and humanity's extinction.
The book begins at the end of space and time, when the last descendants of humanity face an infinite but pointless existence. Due toproton decay,the physical universe has collapsed, but some form of intelligence has survived by embedding itself into a lossless computing substrate where it can theoretically survive indefinitely. However, because there will never be new input, eventually all possible thoughts will be exhausted. Some portion of this intelligence decides that this should not have been theultimate fate of the universe,and takes action to change the past, centering on the early 21st century. The changes come in several forms, including a message to Reid Malenfant, the appearance of super-intelligent children around the world, and the discovery of a mysterious gateway on asteroid3753 Cruithne.
Baxter's short story "Sheena 5" explores an alternate ending to the story of Sheena, the intelligent squid.
Characters
[edit]- Reid Malenfant – protagonist
- Emma Stoney – Malenfant's ex-wife and employee
- Cornelius Taine – brillianteschatologistmathematician
- Sheena – a genetically engineered squid
- Maura Della – concerned politician
- Michael – a "Blue" child savant and guide to Reid
- Dan Ystebo – marine scientist
- Anna – oldest of the "Blue" savant children
Style
[edit]Timeis split into four parts and then into smaller sections that each focus on a different character.
Release details
[edit]- 1999, UK, Voyager (HarperCollins)ISBN0-00-225768-8,Pub date 2 August 1999, hardback
- 2000, UK, Voyager (HarperCollins)ISBN0-00-651182-1,Pub date 7 August 2000, paperback
- 2000, USA, Del Rey BooksISBN0-345-43075-1,Pub date? January 2000, hardback
- 2000, USA, Del Rey BooksISBN0-345-43076-X,Pub date? November 2000, paperback
References
[edit]- ^"2000 Award Winners & Nominees".Worlds Without End.Retrieved3 August2009.
External links
[edit]- Manifold Timeat Worlds Without End