Paradise by Mike Resnick

My rating:
4.3 out of 5

Peponi, a distant world rich in wildlife and populated by a people without a high degree of technology, is "discovered" by mankind.

Men arrive on the planet, then reap its riches. After years of subjugation, the natives finally begin to push for independence. While armed rebellion is put down, from its ashes a native leader, Bukon Pepon, is able to forge the various tribes together and gain independence from the Human government.

Upon independence, most Men leave the planet for distant shores and dream their dreams of the paradise that Peponi once was. Other Men stay to create a new dream. But both Men and Pepons watch their economy and resources dwindle away as overpopulation, hunting, tribal factionalism, and the introduction of non-native species take their toll. 

***** *** *******

Another thought-provoking and enjoyable read from one of the best story tellers (in my humble opinion) to ever put down a word. In this relatively short novel, Resnick quite impressively retells the history of Kenya, but this time in a far future sci-fi setting, substituting the distant planet of Peponi for the African country and an interesting race of tribal humanoid aliens for Kenyans. It sits within Resnick's wonderful Birthright universe and therefore will most likely please any reader familiar with the setting and probably anyone else who enjoys a good yarn. It moves along a relaxed pace which allows you to take in every word and engage easily with the story. I found it a little amusing, given that this is sci-fi, that I had to remind myself a few times that it’s not an actual historical account. I can only conclude that it seems so real because it's written so well, and making the assumption that it's quite faithful to the factual history of Kenya. The other two books of this Galactic Comedy sub-series of "Chronicles Of Distant Worlds" (Purgatory and Inferno) also tell stories based on other African nations and, if they're any bit like this one, will no doubt be similarly engrossing reads.

The central character, a pleasant chap called Matthew Breen, is a journalist and author, and the book begins with him researching for a book about a famous human hunter and guide on Peponi. The name Peponi means "paradise" in a local dialect and really is a veritable paradise in itself, being a stunningly beautiful planet unspoiled by outsiders up until its discovery by human explorers from the Galactic Republic. While we actually learn very little about Breen himself, we meet and get to know many other very colorful characters throughout the book and it’s these peoples' stories who really make the story. We begin with the hunter's account of his life and experiences as a safari guide for rich off-worlders, and this leads to more interviews with others who also have amazing tales and account of some of the pivotal events that unfold. Breen ends up writing a number of books about Peponi and its people, who range from human land owners to soldiers and mercenaries to native politicians, the first-person narrative bouncing back and forth between Breen and the various characters whom he converses with - a style which I found enjoyable to read and which totally drew me in.

The story is chronological and broken into four main parts, each separated by a number of years and each telling about a distinct phase of the planet's history, from life under human colonization through to an extremely brutal guerrilla war for freedom and then to eventual independence within the Republic and self rule by the natives. The same format continues right through the book, with Breen searching for information and speaking with people as he goes, both formally and informally. He remains impartial and indifferent throughout, telling each side of the story that he hears as fairly as possible. The accounts are fascinating, and the tales told are excellent. I loved reading about the wide variety of wild animals on Peponi, from the huge lumbering Landships which are eventually hunted to extinction, and the fearsome (and superbly named) predatory Bush Devils and Demon Cats. Everything is described sufficiently to allow you to form a solid picture in your mind's eye of the setting and the things within it. The sentient Peponi humanoids themselves are interesting enough, but it is the wild animals which I actually found to be the most interesting parts of the book. In saying that, however, the dialog used is good and the conversations between the various characters are easy to follow, satisfying, informative and easy to follow, i.e. a great example of this writer's skills.

Because it's a retelling of an actual history, you can definitely see the parallels in the fiction and the fact, and not just that of Kenya, but many countries on Earth which have been colonized then achieved independence, for better or worse. But are they better off governing themselves in comparative ignorance, or should they let the colonizing power remain, at least in part? The natives of Peponi ask themselves this question as they attempt to pave a way forward totally unprepared and unequipped for what they must to do to carve out a place in a vast technological galactic society. This fiercely tribal race of people, who never even had the wheel before the entry of humans, has been thrust forward by thousands of years in just a couple of generations and are (quite understandably) a bit dumb-struck by what they see in front of them. You could say that the eventual moral of the story, and the answer to the previous question, is that Peponi and its people need to be left to discover their place in the galaxy in their own time and in their own way, without corruption from outside influences.

Resnick has produced another top-notch and satisfying tale that kept me captivated for its entirety. Inspired by his travels in Africa and his love of the continent and its cultures, Resnick’s story telling is excellent which is typical for him. This is reinforces the fact that he is one of the most awarded science fiction authors of all time, mainly for short fiction but I've found his novels to be some of the best from the sci-fi genre that I can name. While I haven't enjoyed everything of Resnick's that I've read so far quite as much (I'm talking mainly about his more recent work here), he more often than not fails to disappoint me and this is exactly what he has achieved here. It’s a good, solid yarn with a sobering message at its core that will engage the thoughtful and inquiring reader.

4/5 for concept 

5/5 for delivery 

4/5 for entertainment 

= 4.3 out of 5

Buy the ebook HERE (Amazon US) 

Buy the paper book HERE (Book Depository)