In "The Book of Strange New Things" by Michel Faber, the story follows Peter Leigh, a devoted Christian missionary who is selected by a mysterious corporation called USIC to travel to a faraway planet named Oasis to minister to the indigenous population. As Peter navigates his new role on Oasis, he maintains communication with his wife, Bea, who is facing challenges on Earth due to societal collapse and environmental crises. The novel delves into themes of faith, love, communication, and the impact of extreme circumstances on individuals and relationships, all set against the backdrop of a unique sci-fi world.
Michel Faber expertly crafts a narrative that explores complex characters, intricate relationships, and thought-provoking themes through the lens of science fiction. The book presents a compelling story of love transcending space and time, the clash of cultures, the fragility of human connections, and the exploration of faith and religion in unfamiliar territories. Faber's writing style vividly describes the alien planet Oasis, the emotional turmoil of the characters, and the philosophical questions raised throughout the novel.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Triggers include themes of environmental disaster, psychological stress, grief, separation from loved ones, and existential dread.
Has Romance?
While the love story between Peter and Bea is central to the narrative, it evolves into a more complex examination of how their relationship struggles under the weight of their circumstances.
From The Publisher:
A monumental, genre-defying novel that David Mitchell calls "Michel Faber's second masterpiece," The Book of Strange New Things is a masterwork from a writer in full command of his many talents.
It begins with Peter, a devoted man of faith, as he is called to the mission of a lifetime, one that takes him galaxies away from his wife, Bea. Peter becomes immersed in the mysteries of an astonishing new environment, overseen by an enigmatic corporation known only as USIC. His work introduces him to a seemingly friendly native population struggling with a dangerous illness and hungry for Peter's teachings-his Bible is their "book of strange new things." But Peter is rattled when Bea's letters from home become increasingly desperate: typhoons and earthquakes are devastating whole countries, and governments are crumbling. Bea's faith, once the guiding light of their lives, begins to falter.
Suddenly, a separation measured by an otherworldly distance, and defined both by one newly discovered world and another in a state of collapse, is threatened by an ever-widening gulf that is much less quantifiable. While Peter is reconciling the needs of his congregation with the desires of his strange employer, Bea is struggling for survival. Their trials lay bare a profound meditation on faith, love tested beyond endurance, and our responsibility to those closest to us.
Marked by the same bravura storytelling and precise language that made The Crimson Petal and the White such an international success, The Book of Strange New Things is extraordinary, mesmerizing, and replete with emotional complexity and genuine pathos.
Ratings (6)
Incredible (1) | |
Loved It (5) |
Reader Stats (21):
Read It (7) | |
Want To Read (10) | |
Not Interested (4) |
1 comment(s)
This book is heartbreaking. Peter, the Christian minister hired by the mysterious corporation USIC to travel to a faraway planet and preach from the Bible to the natives, is such a flawed but lovable character. He truly believes in his mission, and although he regrets leaving his wife Bea behind, he wants to make a difference on Oasis and finds a flock of "Jesus lovers" thirsting for words from the New Testament.
Speaking of Bea, we mostly get to know her through her letters to Peter, and she is an amazing character. As Peter gets drawn deeper and deeper into native life on Oasis, Bea's world begins falling apart on Earth, and the couple who normally works in perfect harmony starts having trouble communicating. Peter starts to go native, choosing more and more to act like the Oasans, and unfortunately starts preaching to Bea the way he preaches to them. He relies on the Bible heavily throughout the book, and as the reader starts to see him fade into the Oasan landscape, we learn more about other characters who have "gone native" and were given up as lost by USIC. Tartaglione, a linguist, and the original preacher both wandered off after extensive work with the natives and haven't been seen at the USIC base since. Nobody seems too concerned about them, giving the whole USIC program a sinister air.
Peter ultimately must choose between words and actions - he is as devoted to the Oasans' "salvation" as they are to the word of God, but his devotion to Bea comes into question as his letters to her are less and less useful. Her life becomes a parade of faith-testing disasters, and Peter's long-distance Bible-quoting isn't helping her at all. Peter finds himself torn between his love for her and his love for his flock; which is ultimately more important? How can he best serve both?
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The Book of Strange New Things?
About the Author:
Michel Faber has written seven other books, including the highly acclaimed The Crimson Petal and the White, The Fahrenheit Twins and the Whitbread-shortlisted novel Under the Skin. The Apple, based on characters in The Crimson Petal and the White, was…
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