Status
Available
Call number
Description
The aliens appeared one day, built a base on the moon, and put an ad on the internet. At first, everyone thought it was a joke. But it wasn't. This is the story of three volunteers who answered that ad, and what they found on Kular A and Kular B.
Pages
317
DDC/MDS
| 813.54 |
Language
Awards
Locus Award (Finalist — Science Fiction Novel — 2010)
RUSA CODES Reading List (Shortlist — Science Fiction — 2010)
John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel (Finalist — 2010)
Locus Recommended Reading (2009)
User reviews
LibraryThing member AnnieMod
Steal Across the Sky by Nancy Kress is a science fiction novel that starts as one of the best books I had read lately and then looses its steam and never picks it up again. Ten thousands years before the start of the book (which is in 2020), a race that calls themselves the Atoners had wronged the
The part of the book that was following one of these witnesses' teams was the most interesting part - Kress manages to build two very different human societies and to show how our own society deals with change. Then the witnesses come back on Earth and the book goes downhill. It keeps it up for a while but it just drags and drags. It leads to how the Atoners atone for what they had done... except that in the aftermath of what happens, most of the book becomes irrelevant... and some parts remain unexplained. Or maybe the first parts put the bar way too high - if it was put just in a few pages, I might have liked the rest a lot more. But I somehow wish the book had kept strong to the end....
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humanity in a way they do not want to explain. What becomes clear very soon is that they had taken some people from Earth and put them on other planets - 7 pairs of planets. Pairs... so that a blind experiment can be performed - and now they want witnesses to go to these planets and witness something. And this stealing turns out not to be the big thing that they had done. The part of the book that was following one of these witnesses' teams was the most interesting part - Kress manages to build two very different human societies and to show how our own society deals with change. Then the witnesses come back on Earth and the book goes downhill. It keeps it up for a while but it just drags and drags. It leads to how the Atoners atone for what they had done... except that in the aftermath of what happens, most of the book becomes irrelevant... and some parts remain unexplained. Or maybe the first parts put the bar way too high - if it was put just in a few pages, I might have liked the rest a lot more. But I somehow wish the book had kept strong to the end....
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LibraryThing member mzonderm
Good science fiction is more about the characters than the science. And this is good science fiction. Unfortunately, Kress goes a little overboard in weighting the book toward the characters (sometimes less human drama is more), but this is still a very interesting story. Kress presents a familiar
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question (what comes after death) and answers it in a unique way, without taking any of the various moralistic routes a less skilled author might have. Show Less
LibraryThing member FYROM
Nancy Kress' Steal Across the Sky feels like a great novella that was padded out into a so-so novel. The novel starts out with an engaging mystery as it follows three human ‘Witnesses’ sent to the far-off binary planet system of Kular-A and -B by an alien race known as the Atoners in order to
Unfortunately the novel begins to slack off once the mystery has been solved and the crew returns to Earth to reveal their findings. The point of view jumps away from the two main characters from the early chapters to focus mainly on others coming to grips with the Atoners’ crimes, including the third Witness who remained in orbit over Kular. After the interesting interactions between the Witnesses and Kularians in the first half the philosophical musings and personal dilemmas were something of a letdown. The grand finale, in which an attempt is made to find a way to reverse the Atoners’ crime, was particularly anti-climactic.
All in all, an excellent first half that should have ended without returning to Earth.
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observe evidence of some ancient, unknown crime that the Atoners committed against humanity. The three are not scientists or military personnel, having been randomly selected by the Atoners from millions of potential applicants, which leaves them with ill-prepared to make first contact with the alien civilizations they encounter on the two worlds. As they struggle to learn more about the societies they’ve been assigned, the full scope of the Atoners’ crime slowly grows apparent.Unfortunately the novel begins to slack off once the mystery has been solved and the crew returns to Earth to reveal their findings. The point of view jumps away from the two main characters from the early chapters to focus mainly on others coming to grips with the Atoners’ crimes, including the third Witness who remained in orbit over Kular. After the interesting interactions between the Witnesses and Kularians in the first half the philosophical musings and personal dilemmas were something of a letdown. The grand finale, in which an attempt is made to find a way to reverse the Atoners’ crime, was particularly anti-climactic.
All in all, an excellent first half that should have ended without returning to Earth.
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LibraryThing member RobinJacksonPearson
The premise is that a mysterious alien civilization feels the need to atone for wrongs done to humanity 10,000 years ago, so they recruit a select number of volunteers to go observe human colonies around the galaxy and understand what has happened.
This book garnered more than the usual share of
But the reason this one ended up on my list is that, flawed as it was, I found it to be an interesting and enjoyable read. I especially appreciated the suspenseful mystery that drove the plot hard through the first 2/3 of the book.
This book garnered more than the usual share of
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unfavorable reviews, but I thought it was good fun. Some reviewers did not like the "multimedia montage" sections Kress interspersed throughout the story. I felt they were amusing, and they worked to establish the scene as a plausible point in the not-distant future. Other reviewers hated the characterization, but again, I felt that it was realistic and adequate to the purpose. I did, however, agree with the one Amazon reviewer who said the description of the alien was ridiculous.But the reason this one ended up on my list is that, flawed as it was, I found it to be an interesting and enjoyable read. I especially appreciated the suspenseful mystery that drove the plot hard through the first 2/3 of the book.
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LibraryThing member PeskyLibrary
The "Atoners" have informed Earth that they have harmed humanity and need human volunteers to travel to other planets to gather information on how best to make up for their past interference. While not all the human actions are believable (even for a science fiction story), the premise is
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interesting, the writing engaging, and the harm caused to humanity a thought-provoking concept, well worth reading. For true science fiction fans only. Show Less
LibraryThing member Seyen
The story is at times engaging, however, those that like full disclosure of plot should stay away.
The first part of the story is based on the exploration of two alien planets populated by humans settled there by aliens long ago. The focus here is the foreign cultures.
The second part deals with
The ending does not provide answers to the plot-driving questions raised in the book. This would seem like a hook for a sequel, however the tone of the book merely implies that such uncertainty is not unexpected and basically "such is life, make do".
A mixed experience, but well written.
The first part of the story is based on the exploration of two alien planets populated by humans settled there by aliens long ago. The focus here is the foreign cultures.
The second part deals with
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Earth and the fallout of the revelations revealed in the first part. Here the focus shifts to social commentary in a what-if situation as well as character exposition on about 5 different characters.The ending does not provide answers to the plot-driving questions raised in the book. This would seem like a hook for a sequel, however the tone of the book merely implies that such uncertainty is not unexpected and basically "such is life, make do".
A mixed experience, but well written.
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LibraryThing member ChrisRiesbeck
A puzzler. Many of Kress' strengths shine through: solid characters, sympathetically portrayed but clearly flawed, a SFnal view of everything, even to a throwaway phrase describing the lingering twilight of an 18degree sidereal tilt, and lots of action. But she set up a plot structure that insists
Recommended if you are a fan of Kress. Start elsewhere if she's new to you.
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on much better answers that she seems to provide. Aliens who communicate colloquially but cryptically, make odd choices for their Witnesses who must uncover the sin the aliens committed against humanity, and then behave even more inconsistently in what they do when that sin is revealed. Without revealing the sin or what follows, for me at least it was all "let me pile up a bunch of interesting questions -- but I'm not going to resolve them." I'm fine with mysterious aliens - I prefer them to humans in green skin. But these seem to be humans in green skin acting randomly.Recommended if you are a fan of Kress. Start elsewhere if she's new to you.
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LibraryThing member readinggeek451
Aliens who call themselves Atoners come to Earth to confess that they did humanity a great wrong some 10,000 years ago. They ask for volunteers to travel to other planets and Witness the harm that was done. This first half of the book follows Witnesses Lucca and Cam as they experience life on twin
It's not bad, but Kress has done better.
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planets. The second half picks up after the Witnesses' return, after their startling news has exploded on Earth society. The Witnesses--internationally famous and often reviled--have trouble settling back into their lives. And human society has trouble absorbing their revelation, a revelation that Cam embraces and Lucca refuses to believe.It's not bad, but Kress has done better.
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LibraryThing member bigorangemichael
In the near future, a group of aliens arrive and establish a colony on the moon. The aliens, who call themselves the Atoners, tell the world that they've interfered in human development and call for several teams of three to be sent to other worlds to observe and figure out exactly what was
"Steal Across the Sky" follows one such team to two different worlds and shows the team figuring out exactly what happened. This story takes the first half of the novel, with the second half devoted to the repercussions of that discovery and its impact on the entire world and the characters we meet.
The books is fascinating and interesting until right before the end when it suddenly takes a very different turn and rushes to an ending, all while leaving things open enough for a sequel.
Can't we just have a standalone sci-fi novel these days that doesn't feel the need to set itself up for a series or unending sequels?
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done."Steal Across the Sky" follows one such team to two different worlds and shows the team figuring out exactly what happened. This story takes the first half of the novel, with the second half devoted to the repercussions of that discovery and its impact on the entire world and the characters we meet.
The books is fascinating and interesting until right before the end when it suddenly takes a very different turn and rushes to an ending, all while leaving things open enough for a sequel.
Can't we just have a standalone sci-fi novel these days that doesn't feel the need to set itself up for a series or unending sequels?
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LibraryThing member sriemann
I nabbed this off of A, and was just going to read the end to see why the cover art had a naked person on a moon. Well, it sucked me in so I ended reading the whole thing that evening. The fact that it held my interest for an entireevening gave it kudos, and the philosophical questions it raises
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(ones that are different than many other sci-fi books) are ones that I can see myself discussing with others. Show Less
LibraryThing member wifilibrarian
Nancy Kress sets up a fascinating premise in this novel. Aliens, who refer to themselves as Atoners, set up a website and email address for humans to apply to become "Witnesses" to a mysterious crime the Aliens committed against humanity 10,000 years ago. Millions apply, but only 21 are selected,
It transpires that the Atoners kidnapped our ancestors and took them to various star systems. Each system has one A planet and one B planet, the earth serving as the control in an epic experiment. The witnesses find primitive cultures on each of the planets and it takes the first half of the novel to discover what it is the Atoners did in their experiments and what they are trying to fix.
The second half of the novel is the fall out of the revelation on Earth and how we cope, or fail to cope, with it.
Throughout the story we switch between key witnesses’ perspectives. After their initial thrill about being chosen as witnesses, most have to contend with their frustration over not knowing what they are meant to be witnessing, then eventually once they discover what the Atoners have done, what the Atoners want the witnesses to do or say about it. The Atoners never set foot on earth or any of the other experimental planets, and remain largely mysterious throughout. I did have some sympathy for Soledad, a witness who has to deal with a lot of crap, but I didn't feel much for the other characters. While I did enjoy the book, and Kress is a solid writer, this story could have been much shorter and had the same level of impact.
I listened the audiobook and Kate reading did a good job distinguishing between male and female voices, and overall it was professional if not standout, performance.
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15 coming from the United States. This seems to be a theme in Nancy Kress's books, briefly mentioning other areas of the world (a greater acknowledgement than some other US writers) but ultimately focusing on the importance of the United States influence on events, sometimes even on an interstellar scale. It transpires that the Atoners kidnapped our ancestors and took them to various star systems. Each system has one A planet and one B planet, the earth serving as the control in an epic experiment. The witnesses find primitive cultures on each of the planets and it takes the first half of the novel to discover what it is the Atoners did in their experiments and what they are trying to fix.
The second half of the novel is the fall out of the revelation on Earth and how we cope, or fail to cope, with it.
Throughout the story we switch between key witnesses’ perspectives. After their initial thrill about being chosen as witnesses, most have to contend with their frustration over not knowing what they are meant to be witnessing, then eventually once they discover what the Atoners have done, what the Atoners want the witnesses to do or say about it. The Atoners never set foot on earth or any of the other experimental planets, and remain largely mysterious throughout. I did have some sympathy for Soledad, a witness who has to deal with a lot of crap, but I didn't feel much for the other characters. While I did enjoy the book, and Kress is a solid writer, this story could have been much shorter and had the same level of impact.
I listened the audiobook and Kate reading did a good job distinguishing between male and female voices, and overall it was professional if not standout, performance.
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LibraryThing member wealhtheowwylfing
In the not-very-distant future, aliens calling themselves The Atoners contact humanity. Millenia ago, they wronged humanity--and now they want humanity to know about it. They choose a few dozen people to travel to colonies of humans the Atoners established around the universe, and "Witness." What
By the end of the first third, both the reader and the characters have discovered what the Atoners have to atone for. The remainder of the book is about how the Witnesses--and the rest of humanity--deal with this revelation.
The characters are distinct, and complex, although they lack depth. I liked Cam a great deal, and grew to appreciate Soledad. By the end of the story, I hated Lucca, not least because the narration is so non-committal about him. As it was, I couldn't tell whether Kress knew one of her main characters was a privileged, patronizing prick.
I liked this story, but I was frustrated because Kress can do so much better. In her Sleeper trilogy, the consequences of a simple genetic manipulation on a tiny percentage of people are far-reaching, dramatic, and eminently believable. In this, a huge revelation has no impact on day-to-day life on Earth. Nor does that revelation have any affect on the other human planets. I really wanted to see the difference between societies! Kress is excellent at bio-ethics, but I wish she'd taken this story a little further.
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the "Witnesses" are supposed to see or do is left up to them--they are told that they'll know it when they see it. By the end of the first third, both the reader and the characters have discovered what the Atoners have to atone for. The remainder of the book is about how the Witnesses--and the rest of humanity--deal with this revelation.
The characters are distinct, and complex, although they lack depth. I liked Cam a great deal, and grew to appreciate Soledad. By the end of the story, I hated Lucca, not least because the narration is so non-committal about him. As it was, I couldn't tell whether Kress knew one of her main characters was a privileged, patronizing prick.
I liked this story, but I was frustrated because Kress can do so much better. In her Sleeper trilogy, the consequences of a simple genetic manipulation on a tiny percentage of people are far-reaching, dramatic, and eminently believable. In this, a huge revelation has no impact on day-to-day life on Earth. Nor does that revelation have any affect on the other human planets. I really wanted to see the difference between societies! Kress is excellent at bio-ethics, but I wish she'd taken this story a little further.
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LibraryThing member gayla.bassham
Liked but didn't love. The beginning is stronger than the end; the ending is, in fact, fairly unsatisfying, presumably in order to leave room for a sequel. I love the idea behind the book, but I wish that it had all been worked out in a single volume.
Kress intersperses traditional narrative with
Kress intersperses traditional narrative with
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ads, crossword puzzles, television transcripts, etc., that serve to show how the Atoners and their big secret affect contemporary American culture (there are a few nods to other countries, but they are fairly perfunctory). I could never decide whether I liked these or found them distracting. Show Less
LibraryThing member cindywho
Despite some annoying characters, this was an exciting ride to other planets and then back for the aftermath. Mysterious impervious aliens have come to atone for something - a contest sends witnesses to a series of planets in order to let them learn what it is the Atoners had done to the human race.
LibraryThing member wishanem
In the year 2020, aliens calling themselves "Atoners" announce their existence by making a website soliciting human volunteers to visit distant planets and witness the evidence of a crime that the Atoners committed against humanity 10,000 years ago. This book tells the story of 3 such volunteers,
Words I didn't know in this book:
* Travois: A type of sled Made from two poles joined at one end with a net stretched between them.
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what they witness, and the immediate impact it has on their lives. This is a clever, creative, original Sci-Fi story that explores some really thought-provoking territory. I don't want to give away much of the plot, since the unfolding mysteries are a large part of the enjoyment of this book, but I was mostly satisfied with it all the way through. I would like to see where this story goes, but if the author never writes a sequel I'd understand that too.Words I didn't know in this book:
* Travois: A type of sled Made from two poles joined at one end with a net stretched between them.
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Publication
Tor Books (2009), Edition: 1, 320 pages
Original language
English
Original publication date
2009-02
Physical description
317 p.; 9.49 inches
ISBN
0765319861 / 9780765319869