Nadir A Review by Jennifer England |
Nadir by William Alan Rieser Is there life on other worlds? In considering this question, one must take into account several chance factors, including: (1) that another planet would have the conditions to support life; (2) that intelligent life would evolve there at a time that would make contact possible; (3) that the intelligent species would be technologically advanced; (4) that they and their technology would be recognizable to humans, and vice versa; (5) that this intelligent, advanced species would even be interested in contacting us ... and so on. Of all these occurrences, one of the most interesting is the second. If rather than evolving, life were created, perhaps on several different worlds, all other chance considerations would be moot. All the above criteria would perforce be met by the will of the deity. Leaving any questions about human origins aside, what if life was created elsewhere in the universe? In Nadir, William Alan Rieser has vividly realized such a scenario, a vibrant and complex confederation of races living, fighting and exploring in another part of the universe, with no knowledge of and, perhaps more importantly, no need for the small ape-like creatures inhabiting Earth. (The one possible exception to this is, arguably, a super-human.) For the members of the Galactic Amnulist Confederation, there is yet a mystery in the galaxy that the races, despite their numerous accomplishments, understanding and advanced technology, have been unable to fathom. The mystery is legendary Nadir. A mist-enshrouded, elusive place in the Beld, remote, Nadir is said to be inhabited by extraordinary beings, is thought to possibly hold the key to the origin of at least one species. In an intricate series of events, Nadir and its awe-inspiring denizens are discovered. The explorers, a motley band of fighters and mercenaries, one knowledge-driven exile, an ersatz concubine and a mental stow-away, to name a few, find themselves in the midst of an ages-old conflict, on a world that seems to defy all laws of physics. In the mean-time, events elsewhere in the Confederation continue. One planet is attacked by a strange, hostile race that defies all contact attempts. The nature of art, both as creation and as business, is undergoing a radical metamorphosis. The Oracle of Vov is spouting pretty but unhelpful poetry, although that is as it has always been. And there is the sense of some grand, overlying meaning tying everything together, of strands converging, of something wondrous about to be revealed. Mr. Rieser has very cleverly chosen to explore universal themes with an alien cast, a technique that underscores the importance of the ideals above and beyond any man-made issues of race, sex or creed. Thus, we see, through characters that we have come to know and understand, whether male, female or indeterminate, whether tripod or amorphous, the basic concepts of redemption, love, tolerance, aesthetics, the search for meaning and origins, the nature of gods, the essence of good and evil. Granted, man's thinking is unstrained by a human psyche, and such concepts might not be valid for a consciousness so completely other that man cannot even imagine it. However, from the prison of a human brain, it seems fitting to view what are considered universal concepts against a universal setting. With an economical style somewhat reminiscent of a Chandleresque detective novel, Mr. Rieser weaves an exciting tale. His smooth prose, interspersed with humor, sharp intelligence, and at times gentle lyricism, creates solid characters, vivid scenes and well-paced action. The only criticism of Nadir might be that it is too short, or perhaps too efficient. William Alan Rieser definitely demands that his readers exercise their imaginations. This is an admirable characteristic of a superior writer, but I would submit, in good humor, and with all due respect, that he is such a good storyteller that we want more. |
