The Memory of Earth by Orson Scott Card Search Amazon for other books by or about Orson Scott Card. Rating: Reviewed by: Douglas Malcolm

Series Comments:
Much of the lure of science fiction for me is setting, and The Homecoming series setting has one of the highest "Oh Cool!" factors of any series I've read. 5 million years ago the Earth was in danger of destruction through our own insanity. It seemed only a matter of time before humans destroyed themselves in a cataclysmic Final Conflict. Colonies were sent into deep space with the intention of preserving the human race somewhere. With a catch. Orbiting each colony world is an Artificial Intelligence called The Oversoul. The Oversoul's purpose is to make sure humanity doesn't again develop the means to destroy itself, until we become an enlightened, peaceful race. It does this through a limited thought control which prevents humans from developing advanced technology. Anytime someone has a bright idea for a new weapon or type of rapid transportation, they become temporarily stupid, forgetting what they were thinking about. Tech which cannot be used for war is not limited. Thus the world of Harmony has a 5 million year old civilization with advanced communication satellites, yet travel is still done by pack animal. The problem is, The Oversoul was not designed to last nearly this long, her control is starting to slip, and humanity is not yet enlightened...

The Memory of Earth:
In this first volume, we are introduced to the city of Basilica, cultural center of the planet Harmony. In Basilica, property and the right to vote are controlled by women. A man literally cannot stay in the inner city past nightfall except as the guest of a woman. Standard marriages are one year in duration, renewable the the woman's discretion. The religion centers around worship of The Oversoul, and the "holier" women are in direct contact with the ancient computer, although they have no idea as to it's/her true purpose.

We also meet Nafai, son of Rasa and Volemak. Rasa is one of Basilica's leading women, and Volemak a wealthy, conservative trader.

The Oversoul, and worship of her, is viewed the same as some view religion and God today. So when Volemak claims to have had a vision from The Oversoul of Harmony's destruction, and declares his firm intention to help her prevent it with his fortune and life, it causes the predictable amount of jeering and disbelief. It also causes no small resentment from two of Volemak's four sons, who previously stood to inherit considerable wealth.

The adventure begins.