31 lines
2.7 KiB
Markdown
31 lines
2.7 KiB
Markdown
# The Prince of Milk
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The Prince of Milk is a science fiction novel by Exurb1a of YouTube fame.
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It follows the story of a fictional village in southern England named Wilthail, which ends up the unwilling venue for the settling of an ancient grudge.
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Deities ("Etherics") exist alongside the mundanity of 21st century Wilthail, and engage in absurdity, sodomy and violence with its quaint population.
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The books makes reference to a number of popular philosophical debates, and takes inspiration from a number of classical sci-fi authors.
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A common theme is the idea that power is relative.
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The Etherics are immortal - their grudge has played out across hundreds of 'Corporic' incarnations - and have power and abilities far beyond the comprehension of their human counterparts.
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However, they do not necessarily view themselves as gods.
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This is particularly true of the character Beomus, who frequently plays down their immortality and returns fire with questions about modern humans' relationship to their primitive ancestors, or with ants.
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This relativity of power recurs plenty, and is reminiscient of Arthur C. Clarke's assertion that sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
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As characters in a book, the Etherics are understandably cagey about how any of their abilities work - but broadly refuse to classify them as either magic or technology.
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Reincarnation is viewed as a fundamental way of the world - Chalmers' panpsychism, or the Hard Problem of Philosophy.
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This goes further than to suggest that people are simply reincarnated as others when they die, rather suggesting that consciousness is a fundamental force of the universe, in just the way electromagnetism is.
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It's a recursive thing, from the lowliest atom up through rocks, mice, snakes, cats, people, stars and gods.
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It's a neat and satisfying view, and one that has yet to be disproven by neuroscience.
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The human characters are invariably damaged - mental health issues, broken relationships, toxic parentage, drug use, suicide, difficult histories.
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This paints PoM's world as realistic, and grounds it through the fantastical happenings in the middle act.
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It grips the reader with its variety of characters, and follows them all as they confront not only their own personal hells, but the one they now find themselves sharing, in a twisted take on country bumpkinism.
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Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and am looking forward to reading more of Exurb1a's writing.
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I am a little biased, as I have already enjoyed the YouTube channel for a number of years.
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There is a short glossary at the end naming and exploring some of the particular concepts explored in the novel, which prompt the reader to explore further.
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Top marks!
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