Only a year after Pyr published the epic RIVER OF GODS in the U.S. comes Ian McDonald’s latest novel, BRASYL, and though it’s smaller than its predecessor, it packs no less punch and even more genius. Where other writers spend their whole lives creating fantastic imaginary worlds that have their own languages, calendars and social strata, McDonald has dived headfirst into a culture that’s every bit as fantastic and also awesomely real.

The extensive cultural literacy and knowledge McDonald showcased in regard to India for RIVER OF GODS has been extended to Brazil, and he writes as if he were raised on the beaches of Rio. Food, language, attitudes – everything comes off as authentic, and it needs to be, because it’s the backdrop for a story that simultaneously involves:
• a TV reality show producer in 2006 Brazil,
• a street hustler in a 2036 Brazil chasing the quantum dream that is the woman he loves,
• a priest in 1736 sent on a HEART OF DARKNESS-style mission, and
• quantum physics.

BRASYL’s intertwining stories, theories and realities melt together as the scales slowly fall from readers’ eyes and the true form of the narrative reveals itself. Yes, there’s a glossary in the back, but McDonald evokes such meaning from every sentence that it’s barely necessary to consult. Amid the favela ghettoes, religious ecstasies, mountains of trash and murderous missionaries, there are cultural and scientific epiphanies at every turn, pushing readers through the narrative and into a deeper understanding of things.

While science-fiction classics of the past have explored what it means to be alien or what it means to be intelligent, BRASYL is a landmark in that unravels what it means to be quantum, and what might necessarily follow if quantum theory holds true. In addition, there are sweet car chases, acres of suspense, huge tracts of conspiracy, knives that cut through anything, epic battles, fight scenes worthy of Yuen Woo-Ping, and plenty of hot sex. Really, what are you waiting for?

BRASYL might be a bit too short – the final denouement seems sudden – but maybe I feel that way because I want more time in McDonald’s stunningly complete universe, where Brazil has 134 officially recognized skin colors. Hopefully he’s got a couple of years’ worth of short stories set in the universe of BRASYL up his sleeve – as he did with RIVER OF GODS – but if not, I hope he’s working on another novel, because I can’t wait. –Ryun Patterson

Buy it at Amazon.

OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS AUTHOR:
RIVER OF GODS by Ian McDonald