Chindi
Jack McDevitt
(Sr. Staff Reviewer - D. H. BROWN)
2002 Ace Books/Berkley Publishing
ISBN: 0441009387
On a routine survey mission of a neutron star, a starship receives a transmission in an unknown language.
Before leaving the area, the starship launches a series of satellites to discover the origins of that transmission.
Five years later, a satellite finally encounters the signal--believed to be of extraterrestrial origin by the Contact Society, a group of wealthy enthusiasts who fund research into the existence of alien life.
Contracted by the Contact Society, Captain Priscilla “Hutch” Hutchins, pilots a starship in search of the source. Hopscotching from world to world, across a myriad of stars, Hutch & her crew follow the trail.
Sr. Staff Reviewer D. H. BROWN writes:
Of all the first contact scenarios I have read & over 45 years of reading science fiction that has been quite a few! Chindi, by route of the mind of Jack McDevitt, has brought into focus a truly indifferent Cosmos. Intellectually we humans know that stars go nova on their own timeframe & that cosmic events are affected not at all by our puny wishes; so, can it be with older starfaring races.
The premise of Chindi, for me, was that although life in the Cosmos, as we know it, may not be rare, per se, those races that achieve maturity, are extremely rare.
Chindi brings forth the story of the encounter with one, possibly more, such races, & what infuriates us to no end, is that we are ignored. Jumping up & down, chattering “See! See! The monkey is out of its cage!” brings no response. That is something our species cannot tolerate. I found the exploration of this quirk we so readily exhibit to be thought-expanding. There have been many writers that have postulated about First Contacts, everything from ravening wolves to cunning races that will swindle us out of our very shoelaces, but this particular aspect of First Contact is new to me. It opens vistas into the realm of galactic archeology & anthropology to a whole new level.
I found as I read this latest offering from Jack McDevitt, filling my eyes & mind with a complete meal, it satisfied an appetite I didn't know I had until I was in the midst of the main course.
The clarity & engaging storyline, the characters that exhibit both the best & the somewhat shady worst & most definitely our monkey curiosity, kept me on the reading path until finished. & the most interesting detail is the examination of the anthropological subject--us, when we discover that we are not the examiner, but the examinee!
I believe Jack McDevitt is a most worthy heir to Arthur C. Clarke. Reading Chindi will most definitely not be a disappointment.
D. H. BROWN
A RebeccasReads.Com Sr. Staff Reviewer
Reviewer's Bio:
D. H. BROWN is the author of the critically acclaimed HONOR DUE and the Citizens Warrior Series. The son of missionary parents and with the help his Uncle Sam, he has touched base in more than 40 countries. In 1986 he produced the independent children's film Lessie's Rainbow. During the late 80s and early 90s, he wrote the book Common Sense and delivered the seminars of the same name for the Community Action Network of Seattle (CAN). While doing his early Vietnam recovery work, he counseled Veterans and spoke widely to men's groups in Washington state, and was a founder of The Lodge of the Wolf.
D. H. BROWN has worked as a Logistics and Weapons Specialist in Viet Nam; day laborer; Director of Security; Armored Car Driver; Police Officer; Professional Hunting Guide; Trapper; Dog Sledder; Homesteader; Truck Driver; General Contractor; Minister; Editor; Writer; Speaker; Restaurateur; Movie Producer; Antique Restoration Specialist; Personal Care Worker; PC Repair Specialist; Computer Instructor; Webmaster and Web Designer. "I write about what I know."
He lives deep in the Pacific Northwest rainforest with his wife, author and editor Rebecca and Buddy Dog, working on his next book.
Visit him at: www.dhbrownbooks.com
Books make great gifts: no calories, carbs or cholesterol!
RebeccasiReads.com
D. H. BROWN is the author of the critically acclaimed HONOR DUE and the Citizens Warrior Series. The son of missionary parents and with the help his Uncle Sam, he has touched base in more than 40 countries. In 1986 he produced the independent children's film Lessie's Rainbow. During the late 80s and early 90s, he wrote the book Common Sense and delivered the seminars of the same name for the Community Action Network of Seattle (CAN). While doing his early Vietnam recovery work, he counseled Veterans and spoke widely to men's groups in Washington state, and was a founder of The Lodge of the Wolf.