Air - Geoff Ryman

What a fascinating book! I started the book knowing that it was science fiction, and concerned the internet, but was puzzled to find myself in the village of Kizuldah in far, fictional Karzistan located somewhere in Asia. At some time in the near future, technology has passed Kizuldah by, but a test of a new version of the Internet imposes on the lives of these simple peasants. This version of t’internet (AIR) doesn’t need a computer, it transmits directly to everyone’s brain. The heroin Mae Chung makes a living as “style guru”, dressing the women of the village using knowledge picked up in the nearby town.  

With the test, Mae quickly appreciates that her current job is in jeopardy, and also that the AIR software is by no means perfect, when her mind is “corrupted” by the memories of Mrs Tung, a 90 year old lady who dies during the test. As Mae searches for the means to support herself, she realises that the villagers’ way of life is threatened, not only by AIR, and also different versions of the software, but also by a threatening avalanche from the nearby mountains. Unfortunately, like Cassandra before her, nobody believes her.

Once you have got over the culture shock (as a SF reader), this is a delightful, well characterised story which gives us a marvellous insight into the effects of culture shock as perceived by those with no technological experience whatsoever. Canadian born Geoff Ryman lives in London. His other novels include The Child Garden and Was. Air deservedly won the British Science Fiction Award for Best Novel of 2006.