- Publication date: 21-03-2023
- Genre: Science fiction, Horror fiction, Alternate history
- Language: English
- Pages: 304
Nathan Ballingrud’s The Strange emerges as a captivating testament to the enduring appeal of science fiction and fantasy. In a genre often dominated by futuristic technology and sprawling space operas, Ballingrud refreshingly delves into the timeless allure of planetary romance, echoing classics that have captivated readers for over a century.
The Strange unfolds on a Mars reminiscent of Ray Bradbury’s imagination, where human colonization since the mid-19th century has shaped a frontier as wild and treacherous as the American West. The year is 1931 a deliberate departure from futuristic tropes, grounding the narrative in an alternate history that feels both nostalgic and remarkably contemporary.
Central to the tale is Anabelle Crisp, a spirited 14-year-old navigating life in New Galveston, a Martian colony near the mining hub of Dig Town. Here, the extraction of a mysterious mineral known as the Strange fuels human ambition, promising technological advancements while veiling unforeseen perils beneath its beguiling facade.
The narrative unfolds with the abrupt cessation of communication with Earth an event ominously dubbed the Silence compounding Anabelle’s personal turmoil. A pivotal robbery at her family’s diner, orchestrated by the enigmatic bandit Silas Mundt, steals her last memento of her mother, plunging her into a quest fraught with danger and discovery.
Accompanied by Watson, an endearing but mismatched Kitchen Engine, and Joe Pruett, a tragic figure scarred by his own demons, Anabelle embarks on a journey across Mars. Alongside Sally Milkwood, a complex trader entangled in her own moral ambiguities, Anabelle confronts not only the external threats of a hostile landscape but also the internal struggles that define her coming-of-age.
The Strange deftly weaves together disparate genres retro-future action, mythopoeic weird western, and nuanced critiques of colonialism with a narrative finesse that nods to literary giants like H. G. Wells and, of course, Bradbury. The result is a tapestry of adventure and introspection, where unresolved mysteries and unconventional resolutions underscore the complexity of human ambition and the inexorable pull of destiny.
Ballingrud’s achievement in The Strange lies not only in its narrative breadth but also in its intimate portrayal of characters grappling with profound moral choices amidst the harsh beauty of Mars. Anabelle, crafted with a blend of youthful idealism and flawed realism, embodies the novel’s core themes courage, resilience, and the painful process of growing up in a world shaped by adult failures.
As readers journey through the Martian wilderness alongside Anabelle, Ballingrud’s storytelling prowess shines, offering a profound sense of satisfaction that transcends mere escapism. The Strange stands as a testament to the power of speculative fiction where ambition meets humility, and storytelling reaches heights of greatness through unassuming, yet masterful, prose.
About the author
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