An overpopulated Earth of the near future seems bent on self-destruction. Colonising Mars is perhaps the only answer for the human race to survive. A select group of volunteers go on a one-way trip. They build six towers and here Aldiss enjoys exploring complex ideas like alternative realities and the universe as a life form. Mars has underground water and oxygen, precious gems and an incredible life in the form of an amphibian approximating the Permian period on Earth. All is very exciting except for the problem of babies either aborting or being still born. And so the plot thickens. This is brilliant stuff. By his own admission it is his “final science fiction novel”. He certainly bows out in style.
Brian Aldiss has announced that this book, Finches of Mars, will be his final science fiction novel. And what a way to end one of the most illustrious careers in the genre.
Set on the Red Planet, it follows a group of colonists and the problems they have in setting up a new society. Life can be sustained but new life will not prosper - the women on the planet only ever give birth to stillborn children.
Exploring many of the author's classic themes, this is a landmark novel in any genre.
