I find it completely unbelievable that a core of 18th century reaction could not only parasitically thrive in the 25th century, but also rule the entire world from the shadows with the demonic force of sex. Its attractiveness faded with time, its wickedness and ingenuity paled in comparison to what humanity did afterwards. It was an age of heightened sensitivity, of exploration that might seem somewhat childish to us, tired inheritors of the 20th century, but back then must have felt fresh and daring. It was an age of discovery and change, and of reaction to those. I kind of get Palmer’s obsession with the 18th century – it was a unique time, full of strange paradoxes, a brutal socio-economical as well as a psychological jump to a new era. It’s not a criticism aimed solely at Palmer – much of our modern SF literature seems to be more obsessed with the past than with what will come next, populating humanity’s future with artefacts from humanity’s history. I guess Palmer’s 18th century hangup, while arguably charming, has some very serious drawbacks – the main being that philosophy, and social sciences, not to mention science, have developed significantly since that time, and no amount of secret brainwashing sects ruling the world can change that. But the sheer amount of improbability, both psychological and physical, the overabundance of coincidences and twists of fate, didn’t feel like proving the existence of Providence – only like lazy writing. I didn’t, and I’m glad I persevered, because I feel Palmer’s ambition deserves to be read and talked about.

The reading was a chore, and at least twice, after some particularly melodramatic reveals, I was ready to DNF it. I still can’t believe it was only 365 pages – it sure felt much, much longer. It saddens me to report that this time around, however, it failed on all fronts – at least for me. As its predecessor, it tries to say something meaningful about utilitarianism and religion, about gender and sex and war, maybe about determinism and free will as well.

Spanning only a couple of days, it’s packed with pivotal events, heightened emotions, and operatic drama. An in-depth discussion of the first two books of Terra Ignota, with lengthy analytic essays by a range of scholars, authors, and readers, followed by Ada Palmer’s responses, hosted on the political science blog Crooked Timber.Seven Surrenders is the second installment in Ada Palmer’s acclaimed Terra Ignota series, following immediately after the events depicted in Too Like the Lightning.

Seven surrenders ada palmer