This book, I think, is best appreciated when the reader comes to it, as I did, with no clue of what is happening. I think that the sense of disorientation that I felt for the first 300 or so pages of this book seemed to mirror the disorientation the main character
…more experiences as he is transported to a distant planet for the purposing of ministering to the native alien population there. The company who funds the planetary exploration wants him there as a Christian missionary because the aliens, who grow and prepare all of the food for the humans, won't continue to do so unless they have a minister.
Throughout the book there is an eerie feeling of waiting for the other shoe to drop...the native population seems much too eager to embrace Christianity and, given that the usual narrative with aliens is that they are monsters, there is an expectation that there will be some price to pay for the ease of the main character's mission.
The main character has left a wife back on earth and the only way for communication to be had is through written e-mail like messages, no pictures or videos can be transmitted. As the main character is experiencing success on the alien planet his wife, Bea, who became pregnant right before he left, is experiencing a number of tragedies on an earth that is rapidly deteriorating. Although the circumstances are strange, I really enjoyed the author's examination of two people who love each other growing apart due to an inability to communicate or empathize. I think it is similar to the way in which many once loving relationships fail.
I also was really interested in the examination of Christianity offered in this book. The main character arrives on the alien planet a true believer after having been converted from his drug addicted, thieving ways by Bea. But while he is on the planet he faces many questions about the sincerity of his faith and what, exactly, should be expected in return for his faith. (less)
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