Andy Weir

6 great science fiction and fantasy books that focus on language and linguistics

/ Nicola | Thoughts on Fantasy / 6 Comments
The angular carved shapes of Greek script line a shadowy ancient stone tablet set against a black background
Photo by Andy Kennedy on Unsplash

I’ve always loved science fiction and fantasy stories that focus on language, translation, and linguistics. And I’m not talking about the Tolkien-esque creation of whole fictional languages to furnish invented worlds, which I’m also in awe of, but about books where the very act of communication or translation itself becomes core to the plot.

Why do these stories appeal? I think it’s that mysterious sense that something needs to be “decoded”, the bridging of culture gaps, and the unlocking of exciting new possibilities for human (or non-human) connection. The theme of language itself also just inherently feels a little magical. The fact our brains are capable, with enough effort and exposure, to transform unintelligible babble into something meaningful, is remarkable. I admire the almost superpower-like ability of polyglots to shift seamlessly between different languages, and I enjoy encountering characters like this in stories.

Then there’s the fact that fantasy and sci-fi books about translation also often explore issues of exploitation, trade and colonialism in compelling and nuanced ways, throwing us into situations where one dominant language is squeezing out another, or where empires tussle to gain the upper hand during negotiations done via translators and ambassadors.

A lot of the books I’ve loved in this space have also inspired my own writing. My epic romantasy that’s currently on submission features two enemy soldiers from very different cultural backgrounds who find a connection in a fable they both loved as children, where a translation crossed borders that little else did. And the speculative thriller I’m currently editing centres on a linguist whose decipherment of a long-extinct language uncovers ancient secrets that endanger her life. The latter was partially inspired by two of the stories in the below list, and after writing it, I discovered other great SFF books in this vein through recommendations from friends or searches for comparative titles.

So I thought I’d give a shout out to some of these linguistics-fuelled speculative novels and list my 6 favourites:

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The magic of Project Hail Mary: 5 key elements

/ Nicola | Thoughts on Fantasy / 10 Comments
A shiny pin badge shows a space ship soaring across a circle with sun rays and stars beneath it, text at the edge reads project hail mary
The promotional pin I received at a recent screening of Project Hail Mary

I recently saw the film adaptation of one of my favourite novels, Project Hail Mary… twice. I’ve read the book twice, too. Back when I first picked it up it was one of those rare novels where I actually felt sad when I got to the end, not because I didn’t like the ending (I loved it), but because the story was over, and I would never get the same emotional experience of that “first read” back again. With the film adaptation, however, I did get something similar: a “first watch”. I’d been looking forward to the release ever since I learned it was in production, and I wasn’t disappointed. The filmmakers did a remarkable job of the adaptation, and I enjoyed every single moment in that cinema. I confess to shedding more than one tear.

Friends and family members have enjoyed it too, though I’ve noticed few seem to be quite as obsessed as I am. Where they soon moved on to other topics, I kept thinking about it for days afterwards, and played the soundtrack while tidying the house (in my defence, it’s an awesome soundtrack). Somehow, this story pushes all the right emotional buttons – taps into something deep inside me – that makes me eager to re-experience it in a way I am with few other narratives.

All this left me wondering – what is it that got so under my skin? What ingredients in the fictional recipe made it so addictive to my particular reader taste buds? So instead of a classic film or book review, I thought I’d see if I could put my finger on exactly what makes Andy Weir’s story an all-time favourite for me. I’ve come up with five key elements.

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How Much Plausibility Would You Like With That?

/ Nicola | Thoughts on Fantasy / 10 Comments

Photo by NASA via Flickr CC BY-NC 2.0

I recently saw The Martian at the cinema, after having thoroughly enjoyed the book. For me, the film didn’t disappoint, and afterwards I was eager to discuss it with friends. And of course, amidst the discussions of what was and wasn’t the same as in the book, and what we liked and didn’t like, came a topic that always arises when discussing a science fiction book or film these days: plausibility.  Continue reading →