Mammoth Book One: Silverhair [Paperback]

A novel of mammoths surviving into modern times seems to invite comparison with Conan Doyle's The Lost World or Michael Crichton's Jurassic Park. In fact Mammoth comes closer to Richard Adams's Watership Down. It's engagingly told from the mammoth viewpoint, apart from some omniscient-narrator information dumps which flaunt Baxter's extensive research. These mammoths have creation myths and stories going millions of years back to the Age of Reptiles--which ended when a terrible light appeared in the sky and everything changed. Now the heroine Silverhair belongs to the very last herd, or Family, dwindling towards extinction on a frozen island at the edge of the Siberian tundra. It's a jolt when she visits the island's mysterious Nest of Straight Lines, which we recognise as an abandoned Soviet air base. Baxter imagines mammoths as able but not always willing to grapple with logic: there's a nifty moment when, against strong opposition, a bright youngster saves the Family by bridging a river. Bad times loom for mammothdom as new visitors arrive: the "Lost", the terrible enemy which legend says cannot be fought--man, at his bloodthirsty worst. Silverhair's sufferings and losses of loved ones are harrowing. But the surprise finale offers an exhilarating perspective shift with implications that thrill. --David Langford --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Stephen Baxter breaks genre boundaries and brings his unique imagination, epic scope and elegant style to an anthropomorphic fantasy. Starting with the story of a young female mammoth and the struggle her herd has to survive into the present day on a remote Siberian Island the MAMMOTH trilogy encompasses thousands of millions of years, the geological and climatic history of earth and a vision of a startling future. All via an astounding evocation of mammoth. Life, biology, intelligence, culture, myth and legend. It is a triumph of imaginative story telling.

Reviews for Mammoth Book One: Silverhair
‘The species is spectacularly realised, complete with a religion and culture tackled with impressive creativity. MAMMOTH will be followed by a sequel; look out for it - if it’s anything like the original, you’ll be in for a treat’ SFX

'MAMMOTH is reminiscent of Watership Down and The Clan of the Cave Bear - combining the former's loving realism and the latter's vivid inventiveness. Baxter combines enough research and extrapolation told in his trademark bestseller style to satisfy even his most faithful readers. Lovingly detailed . . . superbly researched and has the ring of truth to it.' LOCUS

‘It should be read. It is strange and sad; it is violent and hopeful. It is a powerful beginning to the overall tale. There is something majestic, something stately in the effect achieved’ FOUNDATION

‘Convincing . . . vivid . . . a rich and very rewarding read’ INFINITY PLUS

‘An interesting departure from Baxter’s usual hard SF, this retains his clean, accessible prose and talent for compelling narrative’ TIME OUT

SALES POINTS * Stephen Baxter is one of SF's greats - a major talent * Already sold in the US for a six figure sum * 'The species is spectacularly realised, complete with a religion and culture. tackled with impressive creativity. MAMMOTH will be followed by a sequel; look out for it - if its anything like the original, you'll be in for a treat' SFX * 'Convincing . . . vivid . . . a rich and very rewarding read' INFINITY PLUS * A compelling narrative' TIME OUT