The Dreaming Void

by: Peter F. Hamilton

Published by: Del Rey

Reviewed by Nick Capo, Assistant Professor of English, Illinois College

Peter Hamilton is one of the most ambitious and engaging writers in contemporary science fiction, and The Dreaming Void, the first novel of a trilogy, will please many of his old and new readers.

Told as a dual narrative, The Dreaming Void takes its title from the Void, an inaccessible “microuniverse” that most of the galaxy’s races see as a threat to their existence. One strand of the narrative centers upon astrophysicist Inigo’s dreams of the humans living within the Void. Since Inigo was serving as an observer, these dreams were broadcasted by the “gaiafield” (a kind of VR Internet) to humanity, and their appealing vision of paradise spawns The Living Dream movement—a new religion whose goal of “living the dream” soon changes to the goal of a Pilgrimage into the Void.

The second strand of the narrative details the galaxy-wide power struggle that unfolds as Ethan, the newly appointed leader of Living Dream, secretly plans to launch a fleet of ships into the Void. Like all of Hamilton’s stories, The Dreaming Void features a massive cast of characters: scientists, political leaders, agents of various factions, fathers and daughters, lovers, aliens, and believers. Some, like Aaron, an agent of the faction, do not know whom they are working for; others, like Troblum or Corrie-Lyn, do not know whom they can trust. And then a Second Dreamer surfaces.

Kirkus Reviews describes the book as “a far leaner and more purposeful product: a real spellbinder from a master storyteller,” while The Times (London) says, “compulsively readable and abundantly full of ideas.” I agree with most of that praise. What distinguishes Hamilton’s books is the exploration of how technological progress changes the experience of living. In The Dreaming Void, one example is the “near-postphysical” existence of the people who have uploaded themselves into the Advanced Neural Activity (ANA) system. Yet the balance between exposition/ideas and character development seems slightly less effective than it was in Hamilton’s Night’s Dawn Trilogy.

That is a small quibble, though. Overall, Hamilton has successfully launched another theologically thought-provoking trilogy and a rich vision of one possible future for humanity.

Armchair Interviews says: Super addition to the bookshelves of fans of sci-fi.

Author’s Web site: http://www.PeterFHamilton.co.uk