Review of 'Salt'
Salt by Adam Roberts
An interesting novel of the voyage to and eventual colonization of the planet of the book's namesake: Salt. Along the way we are introduced to two completely desparate cultures one of which believes in complete freedom of the individual (the Alsists) while the other is completely different with life governed quite strictly (the Senaar). The book concentrates on the conflict that inevitably arises between the two cultures and the castrophic consequences once they have settled onto the new planet. The story is told as essentially a diary of events by two individuals (one on each side of the conflict) being transmitted back to earth for posterity (with one notable exception right near the end of the novel). I found the story intriguing with just enough science to keep it interesting but with very good characters and a well-developed ideological basis for all of their actions (particularly the Alsists, it seems to me). I did think that the two different sides to the conflict seemed to be too opposite, that is, unbelievably so. How could they be so completely at odds? Why was their ideology so exactly opposite to one another? Mind you, it makes a good story.
Rating: “Really good but I have some issues”
Review Date: 2004-11-06
Genre: Science Fiction
Publisher: Gollancz Science Fiction
Publication Date: 2000