Gradisil (Gollancz S.F.) [Paperback]

"Roberts supplies convincing details - his characters are flawed, cranky and driven. At times, this is reminiscent of Robert Heinlein at his best." (Lisa Tuttle THE TIMES )

"The author manages to deflect attention from most of the improbabilities and include an occasional anti-consumerist message, while developing his own language, spelling and finally - and most riskily - letters. Classic Roberts." (Jon Courtenay Grimwood THE GUARDIAN )

"Roberts' use of Scandinavian legend as an allegory to the magnetic boost technologies he uses to put planes into orbit has the smack of an SF trope that'll become a universal cliche in a few years." (STARBURST )

"Against the backdrop of Gradisil's nation-building odyssey, Roberts impressively explores a variety of themes. It all adds up to proof, if any were really needed, that Roberts belongs in the first rank of hard SF writers." (SFX )

"This is Roberts' best novel to date, and quite conceivably a harbinger of greatness." (Nick Gevers LOCUS )

"A well measured political science fiction novel with a darkly realistic tone throughout. The fact that the Gyeroffy family remains so flawed and yet so credible throughout is testament not just to good science fiction, but good writing in general." (DREAMWATCH )

"A thought provoking read." (BBC FOCUS ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

"A thought provoking read." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

"Roberts supplies convincing details - his characters are flawed, cranky and driven. At times, this is reminiscent of Robert Heinlein at his best." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

"The author manages to deflect attention from most of the improbabilities and include an occasional anti-consumerist message, while developing his own language, spelling and finally - and most riskily - letters. Classic Roberts." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

"Roberts' use of Scandinavian legend as an allegory to the magnetic boost technologies he uses to put planes into orbit has the smack of an SF trope that'll become a universal cliche in a few years." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

"Against the backdrop of Gradisil's nation-building odyssey, Roberts impressively explores a variety of themes. It all adds up to proof, if any were really needed, that Roberts belongs in the first rank of hard SF writers."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

"A well measured political science fiction novel with a darkly realistic tone throughout. The fact that the Gyeroffy family remains so flawed and yet so credible throughout is testament not just to good science fiction, but good writing in general."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Gradisil is a multi-generational story of murder, betrayal and revenge. It is told through the eyes of three characters and against a background where mankinds rush into space has faded away leaving individual pioneers to force their way independently into space after the collapse of the big government space agencies. They ride up into space on the lines of electromagnetic force that flower into space from earth like the mighty Yggradisil - the earth tree of Norse myth. Leaving their weight behind they still carry a cargo of enmities and hatreds. Roberts has a unique approach to SF and is one of the genre's premier stylists. This is one of his most original novels yet.

Adam Roberts is 39 and Reader in English at London University. His first novel, Salt, was nominated for the Arthur C. Clarke Award. He has also published a number of academic works on both 19th century poetry and SF.