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SEO-Optimized Title: “Exploring Science Fiction: A Review of George Saunders’ The Vigil and Matthew Cressel’s Rainseekers”

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In “Vigil,” a dying oil tycoon is visited by a ghost.

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Stay Up All Night
George Saunders, Bloomsbury

While I’m generally not a fan of novellas or short stories due to their brevity, compelling authors like George Saunders keep me turning the pages. This week, I present two thought-provoking reads, starting with Stay Up All Night.

In Stay Up All Night, prize-winning author George Saunders, known for his hit Lincoln in the Bardo, introduces us to Jill “Doll” Blaine, a ghost who returns to Earth to observe the last hours of K.J. Boone, a wealthy oil tycoon.

Jill’s mission is to provide comfort to restless souls, but she discovers that Boone, despite his life full of deception and environmental damage, is content with his choices.

Set in the final hours of Boone’s life, the narrative unfolds with the arrival of other ghosts and family members seeking closure. Jill, frustrated by Boone’s indifference, navigates her own past, returning repeatedly to his bedside.

True to Saunders’ style, the prose is vibrant and enchanting. He deftly avoids the mundane, making even the darkest themes shine.

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When intriguing authors continue to craft engaging novellas, I feel compelled to explore them.
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However, I found myself yearning for deeper insights into Boone’s psyche and hoped for a narrative reckoning that never fully materialized. Jill, with her rich backstory, was by far the most captivating character, and I wished for more exploration of her journey.

Nonetheless, Saunders’ brilliance and the pressing themes explored in Stay Up All Night make it a compelling read—one worth delving into at least twice.

Rainseekers
Matthew Cressel, Tor Publishing

Next up is Rainseekers by Matthew Cressel. This narrative blends a series of interconnected short stories, featuring protagonist Sakunja Salazar, an influencer-turned-journalist on Mars amidst the transformative terraforming of the planet.

With newly formed water bodies and breathable air, Sakunja embarks on a thrilling journey into the Martian wilderness to witness the first rainfall. This quest is both poetic and thought-provoking.

As Sakunja interviews fellow “rainseekers,” their unique stories weave into a rich tapestry that enhances the overarching narrative.

Kressel excels in crafting poignant, concise narratives, lending weight to this visionary future of the solar system.

While Sakunja lacked the depth to truly engage me, the human elements and the fun exploration of terraforming resonate strongly, reminiscent of classics like Kim Stanley Robinson’s Red Mars trilogy.

I also recommend:

Juice
Tim Winton, Pan Macmillan

If you’re intrigued by the intersection of oil barons and climate change, this evocative novel is for you. Set in a distant future, it explores consequences for those who have wronged the planet—an excellent choice for this month’s New Scientist Book Club.

Emily H. Wilson is the author of the Sumerian series (including Inanna, Gilgamesh, and Ninshbar, all published by Titan) and is currently penning her first science fiction novel. A former editor at New Scientist, she can be followed on Instagram @emilyhwilson1.

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Source: www.newscientist.com

Former Microsoft worker claims company crumbled due to the stress of Gaza vigil incident

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Two Microsoft employees, recently terminated for organizing a vigil in memory of slain Palestinians in Gaza, allege that their dismissal was a form of retaliation by the company for their pro-Palestinian stance.

Abd Mohamed, a researcher and data scientist, along with Hossam Nasr, a software engineer, orchestrated the vigil outside Microsoft’s Redmond, Washington headquarters on October 24th, only to be fired later that evening.

Nasr voiced, “Microsoft caved to internal and external pressures to retaliate by terminating my employment and shutting down events. It wasn’t due to policy infractions, but simply because we dared to humanize Palestinians and challenge Microsoft’s association with a military accused of genocide.” Nasr’s show of support for Palestine has garnered attention on social media and employee communication platforms within Microsoft.

Both individuals were part of No Azure for Apartheid, a group within Microsoft advocating against the sale of the company’s cloud computing technology to Israel.

The group is urging Microsoft to terminate all Azure contracts and partnerships with Israel, demand a cease-fire in the Gaza conflict, and uphold the freedom of speech for employees.

Microsoft refuted claims that the dismissals were related to activism. A company spokesperson emphasized the importance of maintaining a professional work environment while ensuring compliance with policy and behavioral expectations.

Mohamed and Nasr contest the notion that the vigil was disruptive or violated Microsoft’s policies. They assert that the event was conducted to raise funds for humanitarian efforts in Gaza and followed standard procedures for employee charity events.

More than 200 employees participated in the vigil, either in person or virtually, as reported by There is no azure in apartheid.

Nasr and Mohamed maintain that they had engaged with Microsoft beforehand to address any concerns about the vigil, which was an act of remembrance for Palestinian lives lost in the conflict and to spotlight Microsoft’s ties with Israel.

At the time, Nasr received a call from Microsoft at 9 p.m. on October 24, although groups had announced his termination on social media earlier.

The No Azure for Apartheid group views the terminations as retaliatory and accuses Microsoft of intimidating Palestinian voices. They seek reinstatement and clarification on the premature disclosure of the dismissals.

Source: www.theguardian.com