The Memory of Whiteness


The Memory of Whiteness is a science fiction novel by Kim Stanley Robinson, published in September 1985.

Theme

The novel shares with Robinson's Mars trilogy a focus on human colonization of the Solar System; it depicts a grand tour from the outer planets toward the Sun, visiting many human colonies along the way. The different human societies on the visited planets and planetoids are depicted in detail.

Plot summary

The purpose of the novel's interplanetary tour is to stage concerts by the Holywelkin Orchestra, a futuristic musical instrument played by a selected master. Readers follow the Orchestra and its entourage along with a journalist, who eventually detects a conspiracy apparently connected with a group of gray-clothed, sun-worshipping monks. The tour ends near the planet Mercury, in a solar station belonging to these "Grays", which controls the white-line energy source for the entire Solar System.

Reception

David Langford reviewed The Memory of Whiteness for White Dwarf magazine, calling it "impressive for its scope and feel of connecting the two cultures: both music and multidimensional physics sound convincing."

Reviews