Alex Mullane's Reviews > Plutoshine
Plutoshine
by
by
3.5 (could toss a coin whether to round this up or down tbh)
Given that it’s written by a genuine nuclear scientist, what’s most impressive about Plutoshine is that it’s so rich with human feeling. Not that I expect scientists to be robots or anything, but it’s easy to imagine the in-depth scientific knowledge of the author might take the focus: not so here.
Lucian is a terraformer, whose next big project is to bring the Sun to Pluto. A giant mirror constructed in orbit will focus the sun’s rays – so weak at such a distance – and transform the frozen dwarf-planet into something more habitable for future generations. The problem is, after a string of high-profile failures, the mere notion of terraforming is controversial, and there are those that would see Pluto remain in the dark.
Nou Harbour, meanwhile, is a young girl who's been living on Pluto’s modest base for her whole life. As a result of a traumatic experience, Nou has lost the ability to talk, or even communicate, and spends her days cowering in the shadow of her cold and domineering older brother. With the terraformers' arrival, she becomes fascinated with the Plutoshine project, and senses in Lucian an outsider that she might be able to confide in. And although she cannot speak, if she can find a way to reveal them, the secrets that Nou Harbour holds could change everything.
The sci-fi story here is interesting, but it’s in the writing of the likeable and naturally caring Lucian and – especially - young Nou Harbour that Plutoshine, well, shines. The trope of a young child unable to speak is familiar, particularly in film/TV, but I’ve never known it to be explored with as much depth or compassion as here. Kissick takes us inside Nou’s head to experience the frustration and fear she feels, and it’s very affecting, especially as she senses the chance for redemption, if only she can find the courage and self-worth to seize it.
The galactically large events going on around her only serve to emphasise what a small piece of the wider tapestry she is; Nou is just one powerless little girl surrounded by people whom, to her, seem almost like gods, such is their ability to take a planet by the hands and bend it to their will. And after all, why should anybody care that one little girl’s universe was shattered, when there’s an actual universe to re-mould?
Sure, there are conspiracies, and mysteries, and saboteurs, and explosions, but it’s the rich emotional journey of one little girl that I’ll remember from this one. The real ballgame in Plutoshine is one little girl’s happiness hanging in the balance, and here, that’s bigger stakes than any planet-altering mission could ever achieve.
Given that it’s written by a genuine nuclear scientist, what’s most impressive about Plutoshine is that it’s so rich with human feeling. Not that I expect scientists to be robots or anything, but it’s easy to imagine the in-depth scientific knowledge of the author might take the focus: not so here.
Lucian is a terraformer, whose next big project is to bring the Sun to Pluto. A giant mirror constructed in orbit will focus the sun’s rays – so weak at such a distance – and transform the frozen dwarf-planet into something more habitable for future generations. The problem is, after a string of high-profile failures, the mere notion of terraforming is controversial, and there are those that would see Pluto remain in the dark.
Nou Harbour, meanwhile, is a young girl who's been living on Pluto’s modest base for her whole life. As a result of a traumatic experience, Nou has lost the ability to talk, or even communicate, and spends her days cowering in the shadow of her cold and domineering older brother. With the terraformers' arrival, she becomes fascinated with the Plutoshine project, and senses in Lucian an outsider that she might be able to confide in. And although she cannot speak, if she can find a way to reveal them, the secrets that Nou Harbour holds could change everything.
The sci-fi story here is interesting, but it’s in the writing of the likeable and naturally caring Lucian and – especially - young Nou Harbour that Plutoshine, well, shines. The trope of a young child unable to speak is familiar, particularly in film/TV, but I’ve never known it to be explored with as much depth or compassion as here. Kissick takes us inside Nou’s head to experience the frustration and fear she feels, and it’s very affecting, especially as she senses the chance for redemption, if only she can find the courage and self-worth to seize it.
The galactically large events going on around her only serve to emphasise what a small piece of the wider tapestry she is; Nou is just one powerless little girl surrounded by people whom, to her, seem almost like gods, such is their ability to take a planet by the hands and bend it to their will. And after all, why should anybody care that one little girl’s universe was shattered, when there’s an actual universe to re-mould?
Sure, there are conspiracies, and mysteries, and saboteurs, and explosions, but it’s the rich emotional journey of one little girl that I’ll remember from this one. The real ballgame in Plutoshine is one little girl’s happiness hanging in the balance, and here, that’s bigger stakes than any planet-altering mission could ever achieve.
Sign into Goodreads to see if any of your friends have read
Plutoshine.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
January 12, 2023
–
Started Reading
January 13, 2023
– Shelved
February 4, 2023
–
Finished Reading