Introduction
Sons of Adamah is the debut novel by C.M. Genton. It is a science-fiction novel about a dystopian future, but it’s quite different from the usual dystopian fare.
Those of you who read my reviews know that I tire of novels which address the current hot topics in the same copycat ways with the same old tropes. They certainly do not challenge the status quo or prevailing wisdom. Since cultural and social views are constantly changing, this limits a novel’s durability. Moreover, many seem preachy, telling the reader how things should be rather than encouraging the reader to think and be challenged. Good art should address issues of the human condition, including social and cultural views, but they should not be propaganda— they should challenge, question, and even offend.
Genton’s novel was a delightful surprise. Sons of Adamah addresses modern contemporary issues of gender, climate change, and religion, but those issues live behind the story—they are not the driving force. She does not pound at these issues to the diminution of characterization, plot, and believability. The issues of climate, gender, and indeed, religion, are all part of the story, but unlike many novels, they do not serve as a de facto protagonist. Nor does the narrative foist the author’s views upon the reader. Characters espouse different viewpoints convincingly and genuinely. There are no straw men. I was pleasantly surprised at the end of the book because I could not, with any certainty, state what the author believed about those issues. Such a refreshing experience!
I came away thinking that, in the end, the primary theme is that only faith in something transcendental can help us find meaning, though nothing can fully solve the issues of humanity and the human condition. Indeed, perhaps focusing on creating a utopia is the wrong approach. Better to find transcendental meaning in the midst of chaos, to practice love towards flawed humanity, and to persevere through the consequences of our failures—large and small.
Plot, Character, Narrative, Setting
The prologue of the novel was a bit mysterious, although after finishing the story, going back and reading it again made it more clear. It does give the sense of something significant happening that has to do with humanity, creation, and the purpose of life.
I’m not certain that the prologue (along with the epilogue) was a necessary part of this novel. In fact, the author told me that she has had many others say so, but she is quite wedded to it, seeing it as crucial. I understand that, it is really a wonderful book, and these bookends bring more clarity to the entire narrative. But that’s also my issue: I think it gives too much away.
After the prologue, we dive into a more familiar narrative about the protagonist, John Macabee, set in a future world (we learn later that the year is 2132). While some readers might want more of the world explained earlier, I enjoyed the gradual reveal. It leaves some mystery and drives the narrative forward. It also makes the story more genuine and believable.
As we progress into the novel, we discover that Earth uses dead bodies, humans and animals, for energy to power the world. Gender is considered passé, and held up as the reason for planetwide peace and prosperity. Religion is relegated to being old superstitions, and everyone appears to have all their needs taken care of. Many characters describe it as the pinnacle of humanity attained.
But John is not on earth. He is on a distant planet called Andropida, an experiment of sorts begun in order to have a place for humans to escape, should planet Earth become uninhabitable. This is strange because we have the impression at this point that humanity has solved the issues of climate, gender, religion, and war. But more is to be revealed.
However, on Andropida, society is more traditional in many ways than Earth society. Not completely so, because we learn that our protagonist was not born within the norms required for this other world experiment. Since he is of no use to the project, he has a choice: solitary exile, assisted suicide, or an unsafe journey back to earth. It’s all for the good of humanity.
John chooses to go to Earth. Along his journey, we learn much about him, Andropida, and Earth culture and history. We get to see specific examples of how gender neutrality works in real life, how the more traditional people navigate this culture, and about John’s history and family. He has a brother on earth, also sent there previously, who he intends to find.
Once on earth, as hinted along his journey, we learn that all is not as it seems on Earth. Every solution has consequences, and sometimes unintended consequences. Not everyone agrees that bodies should be used for fuel. There are still people who turn to religion for purpose and how to live. And while the promise of all needs being taken care of is there, we find out that this is a “one size fits all” solution. Therefore, who don’t quite fit the norms are left out at best, and suffer and die and worst. They are second class citizens or worse. While gender neutrality is the norm and held up as an advanced societal solution, it has not, in the end, stopped strife, division, abuse of power, bullying, intolerance, or even war.
Through his time on earth, John learns some vital things about his past, himself, family members, and the powerbrokers. He experiences the dark underbelly of this supposed utopia set on a dying planet. John’s struggle with his own character, how he fits into his family, his planet, and his species, and what he should and shouldn’t do is explored and presented admirably, sincerely, and often in a touching and genuine way. I found myself invested in John, wanting him to find purpose, frustrated when he makes mistakes and has setbacks, and rooting for him to succeed and be happy. Even the minor characters in this novel are mostly full, three-dimensional, deep characters who learn, change, fail, and succeed—even the antogonists. Most authors cannot depict the human condition as well as Genton has here.
I have left out much of the plot because it is difficult to discuss without giving away too much. There are twists and turns, sometimes unexpected, and side plots that end up connected in revelatory and sometimes surprising to the main plot. Delightful!
Literary Aspects
From a literary perspective, this novel is excellent—better in many respects than some recent Hugo and Nebula award winners. Engaging prose, well-thought-out world building that is both cohesive and believable, characters that are full and compelling, and a plot that moves well enough, within its arcs and shifts, to keep the reader engaged.
Being a debut novel, it is not surprising to find a few continuity and transition errors. These are minor, creating only a brief moment of confusion. John is told to sit down because he’s blocking a screen, then we’re immediately told he’s sitting in the back; Ann is in a bedroom in front of a mirror thinking, then suddenly she’s knocking on a door somewhere else. Only one section really threw me for a loop, where a couple of characters enter a cave that seems to have rarely been visited. Yet, they find two other people coming back out, and no one is surprised. Then, one of the characters screams and the scene ends. When the next scene begins, it’s all over, and we have no idea what happened and why she screamed. I do think the following parts of the narrative explain the results of what happened, but I didn’t find it clear and never understood what happened or why it was important to the story. Perhaps I was not astute enough to figure out what was going on, but I wish the encounter that made her scream had been narrated instead of reflected upon later.
There are a few sections where, when we do encounter people who have religious proclivities, the quoting (or misquoting) of scripture is quite lengthy. Some of it seems unnecessary, and the connections to the rest of the plot are not always clear.
The writing style is excellent. Not too flowery, enough description and exposition to give us understanding and interest, while retaining some of its mystery. The dialogue and internal dialogue are well done and believable, with each character having a different voice (not always easy for new authors). Despite the well done world building, the major themes, and the sound plot, the story is character-driven, as it should be.
Other reviewers point out that the themes of this novel attempt to address issues of the meaning of gender and climate change. I don’t see these as the main issues. I think the primary theme is how do (will) humans survive considering their inability to rise above their greed, selfishness, fears, partisan solutions, and all the other limitations of being human. To suggest that the themes are merely gender and climate changes is to miss the overarching questions that also have to do with war, radical individuality, the role of government versus the individual, whether one gender is better at some things than the other gender, and so many more things. True, planet Earth in this novel has been seriously compromised, although not all hope is lost. Likewise, those in power have decided that females may be better at maintaining peace than males. Certainly, many issues that are currently at the top of news headlines and makers in shapers. But to me, it seemed that this novel is asking “what if” about those issues and many others, and how will we choose to struggle with them?
Another theme that reviewers often miss is the one of religion. Religious concepts and ideas are woven throughout the entire story, and it’s difficult to understand how reviewers could have missed it. Even the names of characters and places (and the title itself!) have roots in religion. Some of those sections hold the most interesting issues addressed in the novel. The prologue and epilogue portray this, addressing issues such as created purpose, life and afterlife, and the creation of male and female, the purpose of the physical universe, and so many more issues that religion addresses and struggles with.
I deeply appreciate Genton’s approach. She has written a novel that can be enjoyed at the story level alone, but can also lead the reader to question prevailing beliefs and assumptions about the themes noted above.
Summary and recommendation for Sons of Adamah
Sons of Adamah is a thought-provoking novel that challenges modern preconceived notions about its themes, regardless of which side you stand on any one of them. Unfortunately, we live in a world where people do not want their dearly held beliefs challenged. That’s a recipe for stagnation and corruption, As it has been throughout history. How can a human—or a society—grow if it refuses to listen to critique and challenges seriously?
I hope that this book will do quite well, for it is an approach that is desperately needed in our world. I don’t mean in the sense of having a solution, but rather in urging us all think and challenge ourselves and what we believe to be true.
But beyond that—importantly!—this is a good story. If you would rather not be challenged and just seek a good, deep, compelling science-fiction novel, this serves that purpose better than many because it is so well written.
I highly recommend Sons of Adamah. If you’d like epic science-fiction that is also character-driven, you should enjoy the story, and if you’re open to being challenged, you will find more than mere entertainment.
As for me, I am eagerly anticipating Genton‘s next book in the series.
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