Thanks!
Egan has had mixed reviews after starting to write again. Even though I ignore Adam Roberts' blog, and discount the online reviewer of
Zendegi who complained the first chapter was completely unrelated to the rest of the book. *sigh*. The critique of
Zendegi stuck with me: it relies on the characters, which isn't his strong point. (
Teranesia was the exception that proves the rule). That said, the technology is *very* well-developed.
I think he's on safer ground with the latest book,
Clockwork Rocket (first in a series). The story is a familiar-seeming hard-sf plot: a space programme, developed in response to external threat. The setting makes it unique, but without being too intrusive - it's easier to read than
Incandescence. <plug>And hey, it's reasonably-priced and DRM-free!