[darryl]

As a result of the Hugo Awards thread on this forum, I was curious enough to read Ancillary Justice, one of the 2014 winners. I enjoyed it enough to also read the second book, Ancillary Sword, and am now awaiting the release of the third book, Ancillary Mercy, later in the year. One of the themes on the other thread was the hypothesis that the Hugos were selecting at least some winners based on their politically correct themes rather than their merit. I have really not taken enough of an interest in these awards to form an opinion on whether I believe this to be correct. However, I do want to express my opinion that if this is happening Ancillary Justice is certainly not an example of it. I found it to be an exceptional work and a worthy winner. Yes, one major theme would be very pleasing to the most ardent left-wing ideologue, but was integral to the story and only enhanced it and provoked thought.

It is probably the only book I have ever read where the gender of many characters is not stated and often remains unknown. The primary culture, the Radchai, has dispensed with gender differences to the point where their language literally fails to distinguish between genders. They regard cultures which do discriminate on the basis of gender as uncivilised. Shades of George Orwell's Newspeak and its intended effects on thought. Rather topical. One example which comes to mind is the effect on thought and subsequent discrimination in future generations if the word "marriage" also comes to encompass a union between parties of the same sex. I was sometimes curious about the actual sex of a character, but the author rarely indulged me with a clear answer. Perhaps a little disorienting but it did not detract from the story in any way, because the interactions between the characters remained believable whatever their gender. In this way, at least, their gender was irrelevant. I can't say that I would like to see this particular technique spread elsewhere in the world of literature, but in this case I found it to be a thought provoking technique.

Gender was only one of a number of worthwhile themes in two excellent books. Ancillary Justice was, in my view, a worthy award winner. If you like thought-provoking Science Fiction I think both books are well worth a read.