Thursday, February 6, 2025

The Ancients by John Larison

A powerful story of adaptation and endurance

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John Larison's "The Ancients" is a triumph of imagination and heart. It's a novel that will linger in the mind long after the final page is turned, prompting discussions about climate, society, and the enduring nature of the human spirit. For readers seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant journey into a possible future...

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Echoes of Our Past, Whispers of Our Future

In the vast landscape of post-apocalyptic fiction, John Larison’s “The Ancients” stands as a beacon of hope and resilience. This ambitious novel weaves together the threads of human adaptation, environmental change, and the enduring power of storytelling. Larison, known for his critically acclaimed “Whiskey When We’re Dry,” has crafted a narrative that spans generations and landscapes, inviting readers to contemplate the cyclical nature of human civilization and our relationship with the planet we call home.

A Tapestry of Interwoven Lives

The Orphans’ Odyssey

At the heart of “The Ancients” lies the story of three siblings—Leerit, Maren, and Kushim—suddenly orphaned in a world ravaged by climate change. Their journey across a treacherous wilderness is both a physical and emotional odyssey, testing the bonds of family and the limits of human endurance. Larison’s portrayal of their struggle is visceral and deeply moving, reminiscent of Cormac McCarthy’s “The Road” but infused with a unique sense of hope and wonder.

The Captive’s Resolve

Parallel to the children’s journey is the tale of their mother, Lilah, captured and transported to a dying empire’s last stronghold. Her determination to reunite with her family drives a narrative of resistance and rebellion that explores themes of power, oppression, and the human spirit’s indomitable will to survive.

The Scholar’s Dilemma

Cyrus, a young scholar inheriting his father’s position and debts, represents the moral quandary faced by those in power. His story is a nuanced exploration of privilege, responsibility, and the difficult choices that shape the course of history. Larison deftly uses Cyrus’s perspective to interrogate the structures of power that persist even in the face of societal collapse.

A World Both Familiar and Strange

Larison’s world-building is meticulous and immersive. The landscape he creates is at once recognizable and alien, a testament to the author’s skill in extrapolating current environmental trends into a plausible future. The novel’s setting becomes a character in its own right, shaping the destiny of its inhabitants and serving as a stark reminder of the fragility of our ecosystems.

Themes That Resonate

The Power of Story

Throughout “The Ancients,” John Larison emphasizes the crucial role of storytelling in human survival and adaptation. The characters’ ability to preserve and pass on knowledge through oral tradition becomes a lifeline, connecting them to their past and guiding them towards an uncertain future.

Adaptation and Resilience

The novel’s central theme is humanity’s capacity for adaptation. From the coastal dwellers learning to survive in a world of rising seas to the city-dwellers grappling with the collapse of their civilization, Larison’s characters demonstrate the remarkable flexibility of the human spirit.

The Cyclical Nature of History

“The Ancients” by John Larison presents a compelling vision of history as cyclical rather than linear. The rise and fall of civilizations, the ebb and flow of knowledge, and the recurring patterns of human behavior all contribute to a narrative that feels both timeless and urgently relevant.

Prose That Paints a Vivid Picture

Larison’s prose is a masterclass in evocative storytelling. His descriptions of the transformed landscape are lush and detailed, while his character work is nuanced and deeply empathetic. The author’s background in classical mythology shines through in the mythic quality of the narrative, lending the story a sense of timelessness that perfectly complements its futuristic setting.

A Critique of Contemporary Concerns

While set in a distant future, “The Ancients” by John Larison serves as a mirror to our present-day anxieties about climate change, social inequality, and the potential consequences of unchecked technological progress. Larison’s critique is never heavy-handed, instead inviting readers to draw their own conclusions about the trajectory of our society.

Strengths and Potential Drawbacks

What Shines:

  • Rich, immersive world-building
  • Complex, multi-layered narrative
  • Deeply developed characters
  • Thought-provoking themes

Potential Challenges:

  • The multiple storylines may be challenging for some readers to follow
  • The pacing can be deliberate, focusing on character development over action
  • Some readers may find the environmental messages too overt

In the Company of Giants

“The Ancients” stands shoulder to shoulder with other notable works in the genre of climate fiction, or “cli-fi.” It shares DNA with Kim Stanley Robinson’s “New York 2140” in its exploration of a world transformed by rising seas, and echoes the generational scope of David Mitchell’s “Cloud Atlas” in its examination of how actions ripple through time.

A Call to Reflection and Action

Ultimately, “The Ancients” by John Larison is more than just a novel—it’s a call to reflection and action. Larison challenges us to consider our place in the grand tapestry of human history and our responsibility to the planet and future generations. It’s a reminder that even in the face of overwhelming change, humanity’s greatest strengths lie in our ability to adapt, to connect, and to tell stories that bridge the gaps between us.

Final Thoughts: A Triumph of Imagination and Heart

John Larison’s “The Ancients” is a triumph of imagination and heart. It’s a novel that will linger in the mind long after the final page is turned, prompting discussions about climate, society, and the enduring nature of the human spirit. For readers seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant journey into a possible future, “The Ancients” is an essential addition to their bookshelves.

In a world increasingly concerned with environmental change and societal upheaval, Larison’s novel serves as both a warning and a beacon of hope. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, the light of human resilience and the power of story can guide us towards a new dawn.

“The Ancients” is a masterful blend of speculative fiction and profound human drama, earning it a well-deserved place among the most thought-provoking novels of our time.

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John Larison's "The Ancients" is a triumph of imagination and heart. It's a novel that will linger in the mind long after the final page is turned, prompting discussions about climate, society, and the enduring nature of the human spirit. For readers seeking a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant journey into a possible future...The Ancients by John Larison