Storm
"Over all the top of the world rested unbroken darkness like a cap." -- George Stewart, Storm.
From its beginnings as a minor atmospheric disturbance to its profound and far-reaching effects on the environment and the lives of those in its path, the novel painstakingly details the life of a massive Pacific storm. Stewart's ability to make the storm the main character is what makes him so brilliant. He names it "Maria," a practice that was not yet widely used for weather events but was later adopted by the National Weather Service of the United States, which was said to have been influenced by this book.
The story focuses on Maria's voyage across the Pacific and her arrival on the US West Coast. Stewart skillfully combines the viewpoints of a wide range of characters whose lives are upended and irrevocably changed by the storm. We witness the event from the perspectives of linemen fighting to maintain communication, meteorologists following its every step, and regular people dealing with the flood. A comprehensive picture of the storm's far-reaching effects, from flooded valleys to snow-blocked mountain passes, is produced by this multifaceted approach.
Fundamentally, "Storm" delves deeply into the idea of "man versus nature." Stewart stays away from a straightforward hostile narrative, though. Rather, he emphasizes the fragile and indisputable bond between the natural world and human civilization. Even though the storm causes havoc, it is an essential component of a larger ecological system, bringing life-giving rain to a region that is suffering from drought.
The novel's depiction of meteorological phenomena is so detailed and grounded in science that it has a lasting impact. Stewart, an English professor at the University of California, Berkeley who has a strong interest in nature, gives the story an authenticity that is both instructive and incredibly captivating. The great and terrifying beauty of the storm in all its rage is captured in his evocative and accurate prose.
The story focuses on Maria's voyage across the Pacific and her arrival on the US West Coast. Stewart skillfully combines the viewpoints of a wide range of characters whose lives are upended and irrevocably changed by the storm. We witness the event from the perspectives of linemen fighting to maintain communication, meteorologists following its every step, and regular people dealing with the flood. A comprehensive picture of the storm's far-reaching effects, from flooded valleys to snow-blocked mountain passes, is produced by this multifaceted approach.
Fundamentally, "Storm" delves deeply into the idea of "man versus nature." Stewart stays away from a straightforward hostile narrative, though. Rather, he emphasizes the fragile and indisputable bond between the natural world and human civilization. Even though the storm causes havoc, it is an essential component of a larger ecological system, bringing life-giving rain to a region that is suffering from drought.
The novel's depiction of meteorological phenomena is so detailed and grounded in science that it has a lasting impact. Stewart, an English professor at the University of California, Berkeley who has a strong interest in nature, gives the story an authenticity that is both instructive and incredibly captivating. The great and terrifying beauty of the storm in all its rage is captured in his evocative and accurate prose.
2 comments:
I read George Stewart's classic Earth Abides a few years ago and that book made such an impression on me even though I am not someone who normally reads science fiction. So thank you for your very fine review of Storm which is definitely going on my TBR list.
Thanks for your comment. Stewart's science fiction writing is very literate and engaging.
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