★★★★★
Synopsis: Kirinyaga is an 22nd century artificial space colony recreating the culture and environment of the Kikuyu African tribe stemming from Mount Kenya. Main protagonist Koriba earned several Oxbridge degrees but now leads the tribe spiritually as a shaman. The Maintenance crew won’t accept the tribe’s euthanasia and child murder rooted deeply in traditions. Koriba is unbending and trains the young men for war.
Review: Resnick brings the Kirinyaga tribe masterfully to life with their habits, mythology, traditions, and stories within the story, told by Koriba who leads as a fanatic anti-hero. From his point of view, the reader understands why the horrific ancient customs and laws need to be obeyed. There is no romanticism of natives involved, and some tensions between the shaman’s and chief’s roles come up. While the prose itself is simple and driven forward smoothly, the rich and complex ideas behind it are challenging the reader’s worldview. It is not only entertaining but also thought provoking, I highly recommend it.
Meta: isfdb. It won the Hugo Award.
Reißwolf 