The Humani by Stephen Palmer (book review).
The Humani is a Science Fiction novel by Stephen Palmer, an author who has penned over 20 novels, some in series, since the mid-1990s. This is the first of Palmer’s books that I, as a reviewer, have read. The cover features glowing reviews of his other works, notably from esteemed author Eric Brown. Palmer mentions that this book predominantly narrates the tale of three separate characters, whose stories intertwine throughout the text. An interesting device employed in this book is the use of slightly different fonts or, more precisely, the same font with varied spacing for each of the three narratives. This is unusual, and it took me about six chapters to notice, as the difference is quite subtle. Honestly, I am undecided as to whether this is a beneficial technique; while it didn’t bother me, other readers might find it more distracting.
Set roughly half a million years from now, the book’s setting is quite detached from anything contemporary. It seems that there are a number of human successor species or possibly humanoid aliens, as the text never fully clarifies this aspect. The focus is primarily on two species, the simi and the humani of the title. The difference between them is striking; although physically identical, the humani are believed to possess eternal souls and undergo reincarnation, whereas the simi, lacking this spiritual component, live a single life before dying.
The setting initially appears alien and perplexing. Palmer has stated that he believes hinting at the setting, rather than explicitly explaining it, engages the reader more with the text. He prefers to nudge the reader towards understanding, lending the narrative a sense of verisimilitude. Consequently, Palmer offers hints about this strange setting, where a more direct explanation might have benefited the reader.
From what I can discern, these races inhabit an artificial structure with a lower level named Tellusa, housing the majority of the population, and an upper level called Divinita, which essentially serves as a kind of heaven for the humani. These two levels are connected by columns, which also host various communities in structures resembling bracket fungi. When a humani on Tellusa is dying, a specific spirit known as a messor escorts them via lifts to Divinita, where a god-like being named Dux judges them before they reincarnate. Naturally, this is an oversimplification, as the setting includes other races and communities on all levels. The entire structure appears to be enclosed within a massive crystal sphere that retains the atmosphere and allows the stars to be seen.
The first story revolves around Abiuravi, a young humani who challenges traditional beliefs, as he does not believe in spirits. He sets out to gather like-minded individuals to travel to Divinita and prove that one can reach there without dying and that Dux does not reincarnate people.
The second story centers on a female named Socors. Her story begins with various odd events, which she later doubts as possibly imagined. Socors cannot determine if she is simi or humani. On Tellusa, humani can only consume certain foods, and the simi can only eat others, with each species becoming poisoned by the other’s food. However, Socors seems unaffected by this restriction.
She embarks on a journey to unravel the mysteries surrounding her identity, driven by various questions about her true nature.
Finally, the third story focuses on a simi girl named Moliri. At the beginning of her tale, she resides in a simi community on Divinita. One night, a mysterious tapping at her door leads to the appearance of her exact double, who we later learn is named Larva. Larva, seemingly disabled and confined to a wheelchair, cannot walk or talk initially but is quickly identified as humani. In contrast to Moliri, Larva recruits her intelligent brother, Periculum, to discover her origins and the reason behind their identical appearance. Since ‘living’ humani only reside on Tellusa, that is where they seek answers.
Each story unfolds somewhat like a travelogue, with Palmer’s ‘nudges’ guiding the characters through different locales. This approach allows the reader to gradually piece together the setting. Abiuravi’s journey and the humani ‘religion’ give the earlier parts of the book an air reminiscent of Dante’s Inferno, but as the narrative progresses, it evolves, adding layers of complexity. Interestingly, Abiuravi’s ascent to Divinita mirrors Moliri’s descent.
Palmer has impressively realized his world in this novel. It quickly becomes evident that Tellusa lacks plant life, but various engineered animal forms fill ecological niches. These non-sentient animals are referred to as mobilis and immobilis plants, signifying ambulatory and stationary animals, respectively. The origin of this setup is not detailed but is integral to the evolving narrative. Additionally, it appears that Dux, the god-like figure in Divinita, employs ‘insects’ for various tasks. Palmer includes a handy appendix listing these insectoid names alongside their modern insect equivalents. However, some ‘insects’ in the story possess suspiciously convenient features, such as large moths with built-in seats, suggesting a mechanical nature rather than biological.
Palmer weaves a compelling narrative, with each story culminating in a distinct, albeit not always wholly satisfying, conclusion. The novel rewards perseverance, offering a complete conceptual realization of its unique setting, both physically and philosophically, by the end. The book’s unusual concept can initially be challenging to grasp, partly due to characters using different names for the various levels and places, which can obscure the world’s structure. A few additional nudges to clarify these aspects might have been beneficial.
I am pleased to recommend The Humani, particularly to readers who enjoy unraveling complexities as they progress through a story. While not easily approachable, the novel is gratifying in its conclusion. Palmer’s use of philosophy and the fabricated religion adds a depth seldom seen in the genre. Approach with caution; this book is rewarding, but it requires effort to fully appreciate its offerings. Yet, the satisfaction gained upon understanding its intricate world and themes is truly worthwhile.
Dave Corby
January 2024
(pub: independent/Amazon, 2023. 449 page small enlarged paperback. Price: £ 9.99 (UK). ISBN: 979-8-86158-033-5)