''Debatable Space'' is a 2008
science fiction
Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...
novel
A novel is an extended work of narrative fiction usually written in prose and published as a book. The word derives from the for 'new', 'news', or 'short story (of something new)', itself from the , a singular noun use of the neuter plural of ...
by
novelist
A novelist is an author or writer of novels, though often novelists also write in other genres of both fiction and non-fiction. Some novelists are professional novelists, thus make a living wage, living writing novels and other fiction, while other ...
and
screenwriter
A screenwriter (also called scriptwriter, scribe, or scenarist) is a person who practices the craft of writing for visual mass media, known as screenwriting. These can include short films, feature-length films, television programs, television ...
Philip Palmer
Philip Palmer is a British novelist and screenwriter. Originally from Port Talbot, Wales, he studied English at Jesus College, Oxford, matriculating in 1978.
Writing career
His first novel was ''Debatable Space'', published in January 2008 by Or ...
.
The book alternates between telling the story of the main character, Lena Smith, in the form of a diary and a first-person narrative of events which take place roughly 1000 years from the present day. Each section of the POV narrative bears the name of the character it follows.
The book is billed as a
space opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes Space warfare in science fiction, space warfare, with use of melodramatic, risk-taking space adventures, relationships, and chivalric romance. Set mainly or entirely in outer space, i ...
.
List of characters
*Lena Smith - The main character of the novel, former president of humanity and mother of 'the Cheo'.
*Flanagan - Who is, for want of a better word, a pirate.
*Peter Smith aka The Cheo ("Chief Executive Officer") - The despotic ruler of the known universe
Reception
It received mixed reviews, with the ''Guardian'' describing it as "a debut of rare accomplishment",
and ''Strange Horizons'' describing it as having "a pretty good twisty plot at the core of the novel—but sadly
..buried underneath layers of cinematic flash-bang frippery and clunky long-winded exposition."
[ '']SF Signal
''SF Signal'' was a science fiction blog and fanzine published from 2003 to 2016. The site was launched by John DeNardo and JP Frantz and focused on writings, events, and other topics focusing on the genres of science fiction, fantasy, and other ...
'' described it as "not always successful, but ..definitely a promising start."[
]
References
External links
Official Philip Palmer Web site
2008 British novels
British science fiction novels
Space opera novels
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