Buckell, Tobias: Crystal Rain
Crystal Rain
Writer: Tobias Buckell
Genre: Science Fiction
Pages: 351
This is not a book I would've taken a second look at had I not known the author. Nothing against the book by any means, but nothing in the synopsis nor the cover appealed to my immediate sensibilities. But, as I know the author, I wanted to give this book a whirl and see what everyone was talking about.
And what are they talking about? Buckell's own line--quoted from another source--that he used to pitch this book to editors was this: "A far-future Caribbean steampunk adventure . . . with Aztecs."
And that sums it up rather well.
This is the kind of book that would make an absolutely fabulous movie. Rich setting, external conflict, and a dialect I would swoon just listening to. It's the kind of book that I'd want to see the movie of first, and then read the book.
Alas, there is no movie, yet. And in reading the book, I'm reminded again of what kind of reader I am not: a visual one.
Now, before people think this an admission of weakness in my own work regarding setting and whatnot, I want to clarify: by visual, I mean this book plays out like a movie: the reader SEES everything happening. Even moments of single character reflection aren't very deep (and I don't mean that in a bad way), because everything is focused on the external conflict. I watch the characters watch their friends and family die. I watch the characters make tough decisions. But I don't experience it, and it doesn't break my heart if and when they make the wrong choice.
So Crystal Rain didn't emotionally engage me. But I don't think adventure tales are supposed to be emotionally engaging, and that said, as an adventure tale, it definitely fits the bill. But there were a lot of things that distracted me, kept me from fully enjoying this novel: multiple points of view (I liked some of the characters, but I never got enough of them to really empathize) and dialect (this killed me. I'm good at picking stuff like this up and then rolling with it, but the dialect always distracted me, which is surprising, as Buckell hails from the Caribbean and would know how these people talk. So I'll chalk it up to a case of my not being familiar enough with the dialect to hear it as I read it, but that said, the fact the narrative was in one voice and the dialogue in dialect--which I know was intentional and likely a wise choice by the writer--I kept getting jerked around). And the title I'm still puzzling over. There's a scene in the book where it discusses what the term "crystal rain" means, and it's neat, but I think I'm missing something in terms of its overall symbolism in relation to the whole tale. Anyone who's read this book and would like to elaborate, that'd be wonderful. :) Titles are a weak point of mine, so when I see one that doesn't click, I always wonder if I'm missing something. :)
What's to love? A very rich, vivid setting. A solid, well thought-out set of villains. A character named Pepper (if only he got more screen time). Cultural diversity. The fact that while this is a "shoot 'em up and take names" kind of tale, it is not a "save the day and everything will be perfect" kind of tale. This book--despite closure to the immediate threat--ends with the serious foreboding that this struggle and conflict is not over, and that's good, since the sequel is in the works as we speak. :) This world definitely has the capability to spawn many different, diverse stories, so readers who are into this should not miss this book.
Now, the great thing about Crystal Rain is this: you can read the first third online, for free. So anyone wondering what it's about, whether it's the kind of book they'd enjoy or not, or just really wants a good sample before plucking down your money for a hardback (it's got a great discount on Amazon!), should go to the site below and check it out. Like I said, I'd love to see this as a movie, cause it's got all the right elements. So if serious adventure is your thing, check it out:
Click here to read the first third of Crystal Rain