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2015 Longlist

The Disestablishment of Paradise

ABOUT
THE BOOK

2015 Longlist

An ecological SF thriller from one of the greats of the genre, with elements of Avatar and Silent Running.

Something has gone wrong on the planet of Paradise.

The human settlers – farmers and scientists – are finding that their crops won’t grow and their lives are becoming more and more dangerous. The indigenous plant life – never entirely safe – is changing in unpredictable ways, and the imported plantings wither and die. And so the order is given – Paradise will be abandoned. All personnel will be removed and reassigned. And all human presence on the planet will be disestablished.

Not all agree with the decision. There are some who believe that Paradise has more to offer the human race. That the planet is not finished with the intruders, and that the risks of staying are outweighed by the possible rewards. And so the leader of the research team and one of the demolition workers set off on a journey across the planet. Along the way they will encounter the last of the near-mythical Dendron, the vicious Reapers and the deadly Tattersall Weeds as they embark on an adventure which will bring them closer to nature, to each other and, eventually, to Paradise.

(From Publisher)

About the Author

Phillip Mann was born in North Yorkshire in 1942 and studied English and Drama at Manchester University and later in California. He worked in the New China News Agency in Beijing for two years but has lived in New Zealand since 1969, working as a drama teacher, writing novels and short stories as well as works for the stage and radio. He is a professional theatre director with a special interest in staging new plays and in exploring the Classics for a modern audience.

Librarian’s Comments

This science fiction, ecology themed novel which portrays a future of human society within a universe of changing plant life, is skilfully crafted and cleverly imagined.

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Phillip
Mann

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Author
Publisher
Gollancz

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