A science fiction book that grapples with empire and borderlands and cultural colonization? How perfect for me! Time to break out my copy of Coca-Colonization and risk comps flashbacks (for any of my fellow history PhDs). But seriously, Martine’s novel, A Memory Called Empire is a fun and fascinating story. By the time it ended, I was ready to instantly jump into its sequel.
A Memory Called Empire follows Mahit Dzmare, the newly appointed ambassador to the Teixcalaanli Empire. Dzmare hails from Lsel Station, an independent mining station with an uneasy relationship with the Empire. After studying for years, learning all she can about Teixcalaanli history, culture, language, and literature, Mahit replaces the previous ambassador. Upon her arrival in the Capital, she learned he died under mysterious circumstances. Suddenly, she finds herself thrust into the middle of a web of diplomatic intrigue, unsure of who to trust and missing a key ally she assumed would always be with her.
I don’t want to go into more detail, because it would quickly start spoiling things. This is a book that takes off and runs. At one point, you realize that nearly all of the events in the entire 448 page story take place in just about a week and you feel nearly as sleep deprived as Mahit often is. But throughout the political and cultural struggles, Martine does a fabulous job of building an incredibly detailed world around you. Mahit finds herself torn between her long-established love of Teixcalaanli culture and horror at its seemingly unstoppable colonial expansion. Likewise, while the story is told almost exclusively from Mahit’s point of view, her Teixcalaanli companions give us insight into the complexities of living in a colonial power and not even realizing how detrimental it can all be.
But regardless of the political and social analysis, it’s also a fascinating, intriguing story about murder, espionage, love, fear, sabotage, technical advancements, and looming threats coming from the void of space and within a society one thinks one knows.
Check it out. I’m going to start reading A Desolation Called Peace.