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The Years of Rice and Salt

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'The Years of Rice and Salt' by Kim Stanley Robinson is an alternate history novel that explores a world where the Black Plague decimates Europe, leading to a timeline where Asia and the Middle East become dominant powers. The story follows interconnected souls reincarnated throughout centuries, offering a unique perspective on how history unfolds with Buddhism and Islam at the forefront. Readers experience a vast narrative spanning different eras, from the devastation of the plague to the rise of new civilizations, all intricately woven together through the reincarnations of characters and the exploration of philosophical themes like life, death, and progress.

The book presents a thought-provoking premise of a world shaped by different cultural influences and historical events, offering a rich tapestry of interconnected stories that delve into themes of spirituality, reincarnation, and the complexities of human progress. Through vivid storytelling and intricate world-building, Kim Stanley Robinson presents a compelling vision of an alternate reality where familiar historical events take unexpected turns, inviting readers to contemplate the impact of different belief systems and societal structures on the course of civilization.

Characters:

Characters in the novel are reincarnated souls with consistent traits, serving primarily as conduits for the exploration of larger philosophical themes rather than as fully fleshed-out individuals.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is characterized by a philosophical and dense approach, interspersed with narrative variations that reflect the historical contexts explored in the book.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot presents a vast alternate history shaped by a drastically reduced European population due to the Black Death. It follows a recurring cast through reincarnation, exploring their lives across numerous pivotal historical moments.

Setting:

The setting is expansive, covering a wide range of historical periods and locations, primarily focusing on a world influenced by Asian, Islamic, and Native American cultures following the extinction of European civilization.

Pacing:

Pacing varies significantly throughout the novel, with some parts feeling slow due to heavy exposition and philosophical musings, while others progress more engagingly as they explore action and development.
Now he had taken on the form of a small Mongol named Bold Bardash, horseman in the army of Temur the Lame. Son of a Tibetan salt trader and a Mongol innkeeper and spirit woman, and thus a traveller fr...

Notes:

The Years of Rice and Salt is an alternate history novel by Kim Stanley Robinson, published in 2002.
The premise is that the Black Death killed 99% of Europe's population instead of a third, drastically altering world history.
In this timeline, Islamic, Chinese, and Indian cultures rise to prominence and shape civilization.
The book is divided into ten parts, often structured like novellas, spanning several centuries.
Characters are reincarnated through various lives, retaining their fundamental traits despite changing places and identities.
The narrative explores philosophical and religious themes, particularly focusing on Buddhism and Islam.
Key historical events and figures are reimagined in this alternate reality, including a 67-year-long war between Chinese and Islamic empires.
The title refers to a stage in a woman's life in Chinese culture, linking it to themes of life, death, and rebirth.
Many reviewers noted the dense prose and extensive philosophical discussions, which could detract from the narrative flow.
The book includes diverse perspectives, with approximately half the characters being female, showcasing their roles in leadership and scholarly pursuits.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Potential triggers include discussions of death, slavery, violence, and philosophical themes that may challenge personal beliefs.

Has Romance?

While not a central focus, romance appears in the characters' lives as they interact across different periods.

From The Publisher:

With the same unique vision that brought his now classic Mars trilogy to vivid life, bestselling author Kim Stanley Robinson boldly imagines an alternate history of the last seven hundred years. In his grandest work yet, the acclaimed storyteller constructs a world vastly different from the one we know. . . .

"A thoughtful, magisterial alternate history from one of science fiction's most important writers."-The New York Times Book Review

It is the fourteenth century and one of the most apocalyptic events in human history is set to occur-the coming of the Black Death. History teaches us that a third of Europe's population was destroyed. But what if the plague had killed 99 percent of the population instead? How would the world have changed? This is a look at the history that could have been-one that stretches across centuries, sees dynasties and nations rise and crumble, and spans horrible famine and magnificent innovation.

Through the eyes of soldiers and kings, explorers and philosophers, slaves and scholars, Robinson navigates a world where Buddhism and Islam are the most influential and practiced religions, while Christianity is merely a historical footnote. Probing the most profound questions as only he can, Robinson shines his extraordinary light on the place of religion, culture, power-and even love-in this bold New World.

"Exceptional and engrossing."-New York Post

"Ambitious . . . ingenious."-Newsday

Ratings (10)

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Liked It (5)
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Reader Stats (55):

Read It (8)
Currently Reading (3)
Want To Read (32)
Did Not Finish (3)
Not Interested (9)

About the Author:

Kim Stanley Robinson is a winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus awards. He is the author of more than twenty books, including the bestselling Mars trilogy and the critically acclaimed Forty Signs of Rain, Fifty Degrees Below, Sixty Days…

 
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