A novel by Ray Nayler
For the third week in a row, I’m leaving behind the Black Library, but I am back to Fiction. Speculative Fiction to be specific. And a novel shortlisted for the Arthur C Clarke Award, and a winner of Locus.
The novel this week is ‘The Mountain in the Sea’ by Ray Nayler.
From the Book
Humankind discovers intelligent life in an octopus species with its own language and culture, and sets off a high-stakes global competition to dominate the future. Rumors begin to spread of a species of hyperintelligent, dangerous octopus that may have developed its own language and culture. Marine biologist Dr. Ha Nguyen, who has spent her life researching cephalopod intelligence, will do anything for the chance to study them.
The transnational tech corporation DIANIMA has sealed the remote Con Dao Archipelago, where the octopuses were discovered, off from the world. Dr. Nguyen joins DIANIMA’s team on the islands: a battle-scarred security agent and the world’s first android. The octopuses hold the key to unprecedented breakthroughs in extra-human intelligence. The stakes are high: there are vast fortunes to be made by whoever can take advantage of the octopuses’ advancements, and as Dr. Nguyen struggles to communicate with the newly discovered species, forces larger than DIANIMA close in to seize the octopuses for themselves.
But no one has yet asked the octopuses what they think. And what they might do about it.
Review
The Mountain in the Sea has a number of story lines which help to build a picture of the near future. The main story takes place on the Con Dao Archipelago. But there are other stories on a slave/fishing vessel, and the workings of a mega-corporation – DIANIMA.
This means there’s a lot of characters but many of them are incidental. But there are some deaths throughout the book to thin the herd.
Ray Nayley uses the slave/fishing vessel to bring the reader into his view of the future. It is not pleasant. But – importantly in speculative fiction – it is definitely believable. Although not a future we would want to aim for.
On the archipelago, Ha Nguyen has been asked to find and communicate with a group of Octopuses. These Octopuses appear to be trying to make contact with the humans on the islands. With some of the conduct being unsurprisingly negative. Before long Ha identifies a method of communication from the Octopuses, that may be writing.
So what will happen if Ha can communicate back, and can DIANIMA be trusted to use this information wisely? Or will Humanity want to kill any new intelligent life?
The book is well written, well set-up and running at a great pace. The chapters are short (perfect for a book at bedtime). And the quotes from Ha’s book before each chapter are a nice touch and a great technique for world building and info-dumping.
Verdict
Overall a very interesting read of speculative fiction. This story won’t be for everyone, and it certainly isn’t a casual read. But if you like speculative fiction, and wonder what would happen if humanity found an advanced intelligent species, then The Mountain in the Sea gives a good attempt o answer that question.
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— Declan & Eeyore