The Memory of Whiteness

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The Memory of Whiteness
First edition
AuthorKim Stanley Robinson
Cover artistJoe Bergeron
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
GenreScience fiction novel
Publication date
September 1985
Pages351
ISBN9780312934675
OCLC974243997

The Memory of Whiteness is a science fiction novel written by Kim Stanley Robinson and published in September 1985.[1]

Theme[edit]

It shares with the Mars trilogy a focus on human colonization of the Solar System and depicts a grand tour that travels from the outer planets inward toward the Sun, visiting many human colonies along the way. The different human societies on the various planets and planetoids visited are depicted in detail.

Plot summary[edit]

The purpose of the tour is to stage concerts by the "Holywelkin Orchestra", a futuristic musical instrument played by a selected master.[2] Readers follow the Orchestra and its entourage together with a journalist, who after some time detects a conspiracy that seems to be connected with a group of gray-clad, sun-worshipping monks. The tour ends near the planet Mercury in a solar station belonging to these "Grays", which controls the white line energy source for the whole Solar System.

Reception[edit]

Dave Langford reviewed The Memory of Whiteness for White Dwarf #76, and stated that "this is impressive for its scope and feel of connecting the two cultures: both music and multidimensional physics sound convincing."[3]

Reviews[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Google Books image of copyright page. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  2. ^ Heck, Peter J., "Science Fiction: Gazing at the Stars of Tomorrow. Newsday, 23 February 1986. Retrieved 21 December 2010.
  3. ^ Langford, Dave (April 1986). "Critical Mass". White Dwarf. No. 76. Games Workshop. p. 9.
  4. ^ "Title: The Memory of Whiteness".