Synopsis
A science fantasy noir tale from the Nebula-nominated author of “Tower of Mud and Straw.”
Refusing the queen’s order to gas a crowd of protesters, Minister Shea Ashcroft is banished to the border to oversee the construction of the biggest defensive tower in history. However, the use of advanced technology taken from refugees makes the tower volatile and dangerous, becoming a threat to local interests. Shea has no choice but to fight the local hierarchy to ensure the construction succeeds—and to reclaim his own life.
Surviving an assassination attempt, Shea confronts his inner demons, encounters an ancient legend, and discovers a portal to a dead world—all while struggling to stay true to his own principles and maintain his sanity. Fighting memories and hallucinations, he starts to question everything…
Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory is a thought-provoking meditation on the fragility of the human condition, our beliefs, the manipulation of propaganda for political gains, and our ability to distinguish the real from the unreal and our willingness to accept convenient “truths.” The novel is a compelling exploration of memory, its fragile nature, and its profound impact on our perception of identity, relationships, and facts themselves.
Review
Barsukov has crafted a magnificent piece of moving literature that exemplifies the best of fiction. Not only is the story engaging, but it causes the reader to reflect on current matters that affect every human, regardless of where they come from. This book is political in the best ways possible, not divisive over controversial matters but by appealing to the Shea Ashcroft inside each one of us. We experience the dilemmas that our protagonist does as he strives to settle peace on the precipice of a rising war. What is the cost of compliance? Who is responsible for remembering the terrors of tyranny? What is the value of a single human’s decisions in a crumbling world?
While the first part of the book was entertaining, the latter half becomes much more thought provoking as readers learn more about the babel-esque tower. The characters were captivating and each one had something significant to leave with the reader. The world is fascinating, but the details to it are not overbearing. The treasures of this novel lie with the characters and their realizations that we reach with them at the conclusion. While certain parts may lack the clarity some readers desire, it only helps to feed our curiosity.
Akin to mysteries that unfold mind-boggling answers, this novel will appeal to fans of Piranesi and similar pieces of fantasy literature that provide more for the reader than pure entertainment. Though it is quite short, Sleeping Worlds Have No Memory deserves awards, which I am sure it will collect as more see what Barsukov has to offer.
Shea’s journey is not one to be taken in ignorance. This novel can be confusing, but that only serves to let this novel fulfill its purpose – to spark important questions. Who will remember the injustices of the past while the world sleeps in compliance?
amazing review I will read this book