“A Star Curiously Singing” by Kerry Neitz is one of the most forward thinking novels I have read in a while. Comprised of equal parts cyberpunk dystopia, and yet a thoughtful perspective on faith in a brave new world. Before I continue, I’d like to thank Kerry Neitz for temporarily offering this book for free on his website.
“A Star Curiously Singing” was a multi-award winning debut novel from former Microsoft analyst, Kerry Nietz. Winner of the Readers Favorite Gold Award back in 2009 and launched the obscure author into a position of respect within the realm of science fiction. Having read the book for myself, I can now say that this is all for good reason.
The future painted by Nietz is both complex and dystopian. The world has been taken over by a technocratic Islamic empire. The Grand Imam rules everything and has placed the world into a digital Sharia law. Obedience to it is mandatory through implanting microchips into the brains of people. Merely thinking a thought that is not approved by this new empire will result in you receiving a nasty electrical shock. Laws are implemented by a system of quasi-feudal lords called ‘Abduls’. Despite this, mankind still continues to explore the reaches of space and develop complex robotic programs.
The story is told from the perspective of a debugger named SandFly. His only purpose in life is to repair broken or malfunctioning robots. All his emotions and memories are repressed by the microchip in his head.Yet he can’t help but long for more.
“A Star Curiously Singing” is a book that rewards the patient. Nietz tells the story from a first person perspective and I admit it takes a few pages to finally get used to the voicing used for SandFly. There’s no luxuriant wording here, SandFly talks in short clipped phrases, exactly as you would expect from someone whose entire life is debugging machines. Once you get used to the voicing, the story is engrossing and fascinating.
I will say I am not a fan of stories that demonize Muslims or the Islamic faith. I’m personally weary of the whole apocalyptic Islamic fiction trope, I think it has only served to cause a terrible misunderstanding about the Islamic faith. Thankfully Nietz avoids doing so and instead paints a unique landscape. Fusing together supernatural themes with a cyberpunk atmosphere, I never felt that this book was intended to demonize Muslims. (For example, the term ‘Allah’ is never used, the Grand Imam instead commands the worship of ‘A’.)
“When the Abduls won the ‘war,’ which was as much about birthrates as battles, common thought became mandated. Mass executions, torture, mutilations—all geared toward making sure everyone was on the same codepage. The laws were changed and everyone officially became of the same faith.” – A Star Curiously Singing
What Nietz did instead was envision a society where everyone is expected to work for their salvation, and yet tragically never can achieve the level of perfection that was expected.
“Abduls view A as a fierce bean-counter in the heavens, never stooping to our level. But my guess is that, if he exists, he would have to stoop a lot to care about us. About me. Because if he is counting beans, we aren’t ever going to have enough.” – A Star Curiously Singing
The worth and dignity of a persons life are brought into question. This dystopian world is not a pleasant one. The Abduls rule with an iron fist, and they are a law unto themselves. They may beat their wives, murder other people or commit other terrible acts, yet they expect others to follow the laws they set forth to he letter. This includes women having to cover themselves in ugly, black clothing
“If a higher power constructed the face, gave it symmetry, made it beautiful to behold to lovers and friends alike, should man hide it? Wouldn’t that be like putting a bag over a flower? – A Star Curiously Singing
At times SandFly muses about proclamations made by the Grand Imam over which beings do, and do not have a soul. Including, inexplicably, how certain robots can have souls, whereas others cannot. Bringing the issue of dictatorial governments sharply into focus. It wouldn’t be that difficult to envision a world where your life is only valuable because a mad idealist says it is.
“I’ve seen glimpses of history—the unfiltered kind from the OuterMog—that talk about past governments. There were some that were truly free, where people could say and do nearly anything they pleased. But somehow, inexplicably, those who claimed to fear government were the ones who increased the power of it. And in defense of rights, they somehow managed to surrender theirs, blindly, to the worst of those they sought to defend.” – A Star Curiously Singing
Overall I found ‘A Star Curiously Singing’ to be one of the most enjoyable works of sci-fi I’ve ever read. Thoughtful, entertaining and yet carefully layered with complex themes.I give this one a solid 10/10, highly recommended.
Cool post. How. long have you been a writer?
I’ve been a serious writer for about two years now. I spent roughly ten years fantasizing about being a writer and then one day simply decided to pursue my dream.
If a higher power constructed the face, gave it symmetry, made it beautiful to behold to lovers and friends alike, should man hide it? Wouldn’t that be like putting a bag over a flower? – A Star Curiously Singing. I love that you write like this. I can tell that you are an old soul waiting to be discovered.
That was one of my favorite lines from the book. Thanks for reading! (The book is still free from the author’s website by the way)