Summary
Children of Time, Adrian Tchaikovsky's critically acclaimed science fiction novel, burst onto the literary scene in 2015. This epic tale of humanity's struggle for survival on a terraformed planet captivated readers with its grand scale and imaginative premise. The book's exploration of evolution, artificial intelligence, and the nature of civilization earned it the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2016.
Tchaikovsky's novel stands out for its unique approach to alien life. Rather than introducing extraterrestrial beings, the author crafts a narrative around the evolution of Earth species – particularly spiders – on a distant world. This innovative concept, combined with the author's meticulous world-building, has cemented Children of Time's place as a modern science fiction classic.
While Children of Time has not yet been adapted for the screen, its popularity and critical acclaim have not gone unnoticed by Hollywood. In 2017, film rights to the novel were optioned, sparking excitement among fans eager to see Tchaikovsky's vision brought to life on the big screen. As the first installment in what has become an award-winning series, Children of Time continues to captivate new readers and inspire discussions about the future of humanity among the stars.
Plot
In the distant future, humanity's last survivors flee a dying Earth in search of a new home. They discover a planet that was terraformed long ago, seemingly perfect for human habitation. However, upon arrival, they find that the world is not unoccupied as they had hoped. During the millennia since the planet was abandoned, its intended inhabitants never arrived. Instead, the terraforming process had unexpected results, creating new forms of intelligent life.
The story alternates between two timelines. In the past, we follow Dr. Avrana Kern, a scientist overseeing the planet's terraforming project. When sabotage destroys her ship and kills her crew, Kern survives in an orbital platform, periodically waking from suspended animation to check on the planet's progress. In the present, we follow the crew of the Gilgamesh, the ship carrying Earth's last humans, as they approach the terraformed world.
On the planet's surface, a species of jumping spiders has evolved remarkable intelligence due to the terraforming process. The novel chronicles their civilization's development over thousands of years, from primitive hunters to an advanced society capable of complex technology and space exploration. The spiders' evolution is guided by an artificial intelligence based on Dr. Kern's personality, which they view as a godlike figure.
As the human survivors aboard the Gilgamesh arrive in the system, conflict seems inevitable. The humans, desperate for a new home, must confront the fact that their intended paradise is already occupied by an alien civilization. The spiders, having developed their own thriving culture, face the threat of invasion from the sky. The novel builds to a climactic encounter between these two civilizations, each fighting for their survival and claim to this new world.
Themes
Evolution and adaptation of species
Clash of civilizations
Survival of humanity in a hostile environment
Artificial intelligence and its impact on organic life
Legacy of past actions shaping the future
Ethical implications of genetic engineering
Communication and understanding between different species
Setting
Set in a distant future spanning thousands of years, Children of Time unfolds across two primary settings: a terraformed exoplanet and the remnants of a dying Earth. The story begins as humanity's last survivors flee their ravaged homeworld, desperately seeking a new home among the stars.
The terraformed planet, initially intended as “Kern's World,” becomes the focal point of the narrative. Originally prepared for human habitation, this world evolves in unexpected ways over millennia. Its ecosystem, seeded with a minimum of species and altered by a nanovirus, gives rise to a civilization of genetically modified Portia labiata spiders, known as Portiids.
Meanwhile, aboard the ark ship Gilgamesh, the last humans embark on an epic journey through space. Their voyage, marked by long periods of suspended animation and centuries-long detours, contrasts sharply with the rapid advancement of the spider society on the terraformed world. The collision of these two civilizations forms the crux of the novel's climactic events, set against the backdrop of a new Eden that has become both a refuge and a potential nightmare.
Characters
Dr. Avrana Kern: Lead scientist of the original terraforming mission. She becomes stranded in orbit for millennia, gradually losing her sanity. Kern's arrogance and deteriorating mental state make her a formidable antagonist. Her actions set the stage for the entire story.
Holsten Mason: Chief classicist aboard the Gilgamesh. He serves as the primary human perspective throughout the novel. Holsten struggles with his role in preserving human history and culture as humanity faces extinction. His character arc spans centuries as he is repeatedly woken from stasis.
Portia: The recurring female spider protagonist. Each generation's Portia inherits memories and traits from her predecessors. She often serves as a leader and warrior for spider society. Portia's evolution mirrors the development of spider civilization.
Commander Guyen: Leader of the Gilgamesh expedition. His authoritarian leadership style causes conflict among the crew. Guyen becomes increasingly unstable as the mission faces setbacks.
Bianca: A brilliant female spider scientist. She makes groundbreaking discoveries that advance spider technology and understanding. Bianca's innovations play a crucial role in spider-human relations.
Lain: Chief engineer of the Gilgamesh. She becomes a de facto leader and maternal figure for the ship-born generations. Lain's practicality and dedication contrast with Guyen's megalomania.
Fabian: A male spider who challenges spider society's gender norms. He contributes significantly to scientific advancements. Fabian's perspective provides insight into spider gender dynamics.
Vitas: Science officer aboard the Gilgamesh. Her objectivity sometimes conflicts with the crew's emotional needs.
Karst: Security chief of the Gilgamesh. He maintains order during the ship's internal conflicts.
Viola: Another recurring female spider character. She often takes on leadership and scientific roles in spider society.
Quick facts
Children of Time won the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award for best science fiction novel in 2016.
The book explores the evolution of a civilization of genetically modified spiders over thousands of years.
Tchaikovsky's novel spans approximately 2,000 years of future history.
The spider species featured in the book is based on the real-life Portia labiata jumping spider.
An artificial intelligence based on Dr. Avrana Kern guides the spiders' evolution throughout the story.
The novel alternates between the perspectives of the evolving spiders and the last remnants of humanity.
Tchaikovsky wrote two sequels: Children of Ruin (2019) and Children of Memory (2022).
The series won the Hugo Award for Best Series in 2023.
Film rights for Children of Time were optioned in 2017, though no movie has been produced yet.
The book explores themes of artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and the nature of sentience.
About the Author
Adrian Tchaikovsky is a prolific British fantasy and science fiction author best known for his award-winning Children of Time series and Shadows of the Apt series. Born in 1972 in Lincolnshire, England, Tchaikovsky studied zoology and psychology at the University of Reading before pursuing a career in law. His scientific background heavily influences his writing, particularly in his depictions of non-human perspectives and alien civilizations.
Tchaikovsky's literary career began in 2008 with the publication of Empire in Black and Gold, the first novel in his Shadows of the Apt series. However, it was his 2015 novel Children of Time that brought him widespread acclaim, earning him the prestigious Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2016. His work often explores themes of evolution, artificial intelligence, and the complex relationships between different species.
In addition to his novels, Tchaikovsky has written numerous novellas and short stories. He draws inspiration from his experiences with role-playing games, which he uses to develop his intricate world-building and action sequences. Tchaikovsky's writing is known for tackling big ideas and philosophical concepts while maintaining engaging narratives and well-developed characters.
Throughout his career, Tchaikovsky has received multiple awards and nominations, including the British Fantasy Award and the BSFA Award. He became a full-time writer in 2018 after years of balancing his writing career with his work as a legal executive. Tchaikovsky continues to be a prominent figure in contemporary science fiction and fantasy literature, with his work praised for its scientific accuracy, imagination, and exploration of complex themes.
