COALESCENT is the first of a trilogy of novels that does nothing less than tell the story of mankind's possible evolutions and our role in the Universe.
Coalescent charts a radical divergence in our evolution; the development of a human hive entity. It is a divergence that has its roots in the dying days of the Roman Empire. The story is told through twin narratives; one takes us through the falling apart of the Roman control of Britain as seen by one girl, the other covers a man's search for a lost sister. A sister who may be living as part of an ancient and secretive order in Rome.
Through these diverse personal stories Stephen Baxter charts a story that has terrifying consequences for what we thought was our place in the world, our perceived natural ascendency in the order of things.
Things are going to be very different now . . .
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Stephen Baxter's novel Coalescent explores the SF possibilities of our own evolution--and whether, like ants or naked mole rats, a human community could develop a hive mind.
In modern England, George Poole learns in mid-life that he once had a twin sister, given as an infant to The Puissant Order of Holy Mary Queen of Virgins. The what? Poole tracks down what seems a perfectly respectable Rome-based organisation, not all that religious but with hints of underlying strangeness. Yet apparently they're not strangers. "They're family."
Sixteen centuries before, the Roman-British girl Regina lives through the final, painful passing of Roman law and order in a Britain increasingly ravaged by Saxon invasion. It's a grimly moving historical story, which even links to the legend of Arthur.
Hardened by much brutal experience, Regina is determined to protect her bloodline and her household gods through the Dark Ages, until this temporary disturbance is over. By luck, cunning and sheer ruthlessness she reaches sanctuary in Rome, where she founds an enclave that will survive into the modern era and beyond. Instinctively, Regina lays down rules that will fundamentally change "human nature" as the centuries slip by:
Ignorance is strength. Listen to your sisters. Sisters matter more than laughters.
A third narrative strand follows Lucia, a girl of the modern-day Order who sees these slogans on every wall, lives underground in the artificial light of the "Crypt" and is always surrounded by many sisters. No room is ever empty. When Lucia finds herself physically changing and becoming different from her workmates, the resulting upheaval has ripples that affect Poole, his own rediscovered sister and the world.
The lifestyle of the Order is a new quirk in mankind's evolution, alternately seductive and shocking. Baxter switches effectively between harrowing historical narrative and the slow revelation of a threat whose understated chill is reminiscent of John Wyndham's quieter menaces. Coalescent is a strong, standalone novel that opens a new SF sequence titled "Destiny's Children". --David Langford
INTERVIEWS DreamwatchOpen Book BBC Radio4, 12 October, Baxter will be interviewed by Mariella Frostrup and will then stick around to be their SF Specialist. REVIEWS 'This is the intelligent Mr Baxter at his most subtly inventive'TIME OUT 'The word epic does not do justice to the vision of this extremely impressive novel'DREAMWATCH Reviews expected in The Times, The Guardian and SFX. SIGNING Wednesday 22nd October, Andromeda, Birmingham
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Shipping:
£ 4.80
From United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Hardback. Condition: Very Good. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR003859192
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Reuseabook, Gloucester, GLOS, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Used; Good. Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages. Seller Inventory # CHL9787435
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Creachann Books, Milngavie, United Kingdom
Soft cover. Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. 2003 Gollancz, London. This is an excellent Proof copy of Coalescent by Stephen Baxter. It is clean fresh and is unread. a really nice copy. Seller Inventory # 000136
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Marches Books, Hereford, United Kingdom
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. Same day/next day dispatch (Monday-Friday). Seller Inventory # mar0000020682
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Centigrade 233, Ann Arbor, MI, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine. 1st Edition. Signed by the author (no inscription) on the title page. First edition. First volume of the "Destiny's Children" trilogy. No remainder mark, not price-clipped, not bumped. Like many British editions, the pages are a bit toned, otherwise a fine copy. Comes in a Brodart protective cover. All books are bubble-wrapped and placed in a sturdy shipping box when mailed. Tracking number supplied on domestic orders. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 001746
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: GF Books, Inc., Hawthorne, CA, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Book is in Used-VeryGood condition. Pages and cover are clean and intact. Used items may not include supplementary materials such as CDs or access codes. May show signs of minor shelf wear and contain very limited notes and highlighting. 1.85. Seller Inventory # 057507423X-2-3
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Book Deals, Tucson, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. Shows only minor signs of wear, and very minimal markings inside (if any). 1.85. Seller Inventory # 353-057507423X-vrg
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: All-Ways Fiction, DAYTON, NV, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. Signed by Stephen Baxter on title page - signature only. British Edition First Edition, First Printing. Light toning to pages Book is in Fine condition. Boards are clean, not bumped. Not remaindered. Dust Jacket is in Fine condition. Not chipped or crinkled. Not price clipped. Book is covered by Mylar Brodart. All-ways well boxed, All-ways fast service. Thanks. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 045101
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Idler Fine Books, Las Vegas, NV, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. First printing of the first British edition. Signed by Stephen Baxter directly on title page. Light toning to page margins, else book and dust jacket in fine condition. Signed by Author(s). Seller Inventory # 021334
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Heartwood Books and Art, Fort Lauderdale, FL, U.S.A.
Hardcover. Condition: Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. Coalescent by Stephen Baxter (First Edition) Signed Sharp bright tight copy. Sharp, bright jacket. Not price-clipped. First edition. Destiny's Children Book One. Signed by the Author on the title page. BOOK. Seller Inventory # HCX20603-1
Quantity: 1 available