XX by Rian Hughes is a massively ambitious work that delves into visual and written communication, exploring the power of ideas and the interaction between the material and immaterial worlds. The story involves receiving a Signal from Space that contains the DNA of billions of aliens, leading to discoveries about alien races, artificial intelligence, and the history of the universe. The book is described as a mix of realistic sci-fi with layers of meaning and symbolism, challenging readers to think deeply while enjoying a good story.

Characters:

Characters are diverse and include a hacker and an astronaut, each contributing to the complex narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is experimental, leveraging typography and various formats to convey deeper meanings and emotions.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot encompasses first contact with aliens through a coded signal and involves themes of AI and the exploration of cultural ideas.

Setting:

The setting spans a near-future Earth, including space with elements of technology and alien contact.

Pacing:

Pacing is uneven, with some sections criticized for being too lengthy or disjointed.

Nixon Rappaport crossed something off a list. “Big sign with the company name and logo: check. All Jack’s packing crates: check. What else? Seating— we still need to get some chairs, but I’m going to ...

Notes:

XX by Rian Hughes is a prose novel, not a graphic novel, despite its visual elements.

The story involves a signal from space that contains the DNA of multiple alien races.

An astronaut discovers a barely alive alien on the Moon, which shares its memories with her.

The plot incorporates an AI startup that creates AI through memes related to human culture.

The title 'XX' refers to a specific AI in the story, which is tied to the narrative's exploration of history and culture.

The book features extensive typographical experimentation, utilizing various layouts and formats.

It is composed of unconventional elements like mock documents, interviews, and a serialized story within the text.

Rian Hughes, the author, is a graphic designer who integrates his expertise in font design into the narrative.

The book is compared to 'House of Leaves' for its typographical experimentation and layered storytelling.

The narrative includes themes of how ideas propagate and influence people.

Readers mention feeling a sense of disorientation due to its complex structure and disjointed presentation.

It has moments of direct address to the reader, breaking the fourth wall.

The book involves themes of first contact with aliens and the implications of advanced technological communication.

It has been described as a mix of science fiction and a unique literary experience, full of multimedia components.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings may include existential themes, psychological complexities, and disjointed narrative structures that could be disorienting for some readers.

From The Publisher:

'Extraordinary imagination . . . As the book races towards a mindboggling climax it leads the reader to some remarkable ideas about the nature of life, the universe and everything. Simply stunning.' - Big Issue

At Jodrell Bank a mysterious signal of extraterrestrial origin has been detected. Artificial intelligence expert Jack Fenwick thinks he can decode it. But when he and his associates at Hoxton tech startup Intelligencia find a way to step into the alien realm the signal encodes, they discover that it's already occupied - by ghostly entities that may come from our own past.

Have these 'DMEn' (Digital Memetic Entities) been created by persons unknown for just such an eventuality? Are they our first line of defence in a coming war, not for territory, but for our minds?

XX presents a compelling vision of humanity's unique place in the universe, and of what might happen in the wake of the biggest scientific discovery in human history.

As compelling as it is visually striking, Rian Hughes' first novel incorporates NASA transcripts, newspaper and magazine articles, fictitious Wikipedia pages, undeciphered alphabets, and 'Ascension', a forgotten novelette by 1960s counterculture guru Herschel Teague that mysteriously foreshadows events.

Wrapping stories within stories, Rian Hughes' XX unleashes the full narrative potential of graphic design. Drawing on Dada, punk and the modernist movements of the twentieth century, it asks us who we think we are - and where we may be headed next.

The battle for your mind has already begun.

Ratings (2)

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Loved It (1)

Reader Stats (11):

Read It (2)
Want To Read (9)

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XX

Rian Hughes