Jumpnauts by Hao Jingfang
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Funnily enough, I see all these low ratings and I just don't get it. I feel like I read a different book than them.

It's very Chinese in flavor and execution, and that shouldn't be a surprise, considering. But more, it's like that version of Contact--with some cool high-tech political and personal infighting that lead to actual character growth. A bunch of power-hungry introverts learn to work together, plus we get a whole interesting anti-Dark Forest take of first contact.

Honestly, it felt pretty refreshing. I'd LOVE to see more aliens in fiction do things for the sake of their ideals. You know, like so many artists and scientists do now. Rather than the whole might-makes-right shtick we've got going on now everywhere else.

Alas.

A little hope in SF isn't going amiss with me. Far from it.


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