Marcel Schliff Schliff itibaren Gemeinde Spitz itibaren Gemeinde Spitz

Described on my class syllabus as "an ambiguous heterotopia," this science fiction novel takes place in a future where not only are the moons of Saturn, Neptune et al inhabited, they are at war with Earth and the other planets. The reason behind this war? Life for "moonies" is significantly more laid back, in terms of lifestyle, fashion, living arrangements, and even sexual identity (whether gender preference or gender identity; here, having one's gender changed is an out-patient procedure that takes several hours for the "full" effect), and Earth can't handle the truth. The story's narrator, Bron Helstrom, is a Martian (as in, born and bred on Mars, not a little green man) and this seems to be a sticking point for his personality: he's often accused of acting in "type" and being very Martian, despite his assertion that he hates being typified and he likes to act in ways that should surprise people. Overall, he's not a very likeable character. His self-centeredness coupled with his tendency toward pathological lying makes him amusing but, for me, unable to be identified and empathized with. In the final 50 pages of the novel proper (ignoring the two Appendices), his decision to make a radical change in his life (hint: dude looks like a lady) may leave the reader even more chilled towards his presumptive reasons. Not sorry I read it, won't read it again, but may pick up more by Delaney as a result.