Forty Signs of Rain [Paperback]

Kim Stanley Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 7, 2005

It's hot in Washington. No sign of rain. The world's climates are changing, catastrophe beckons, but no one in power is noticing. Yet. Tom Wolfe meets Michael Crichton in this highly topical and witty and entertaining science thriller. When the Arctic ice pack was first measured in the 1950s, it averaged thirty feet thick in midwinter. By the end of the century it was down to fifteen. One August the ice broke. The next year the break-up started in July. The third year, it began in May. That was last year. It's an increasingly steamy summer in America's capital as environmental policy advisor Charlie Quibler cares for his young son, and deals with the frustrating politics of global warming. According to the President and his science advisor Dr S, the weather isn't important! But Charlie must find a way to get a sceptical administration to act before it's too late -- and his progeny find themselves living in Swamp World. Just arrived in Washington to lobby the Senate for aid is an embassy from Khembalung, a sinking island nation in the Bay of Bengal. Charlie's wife Anna, director of bioinformatics at the National Science Foundation and well known for her hyperrational intensity, is entranced by the Khembalis. By contrast, her colleague, Frank Vanderwal, is equally cynical about the Buddhists and the NSF. The profound effect the Khembali ambassador has on both Charlie and Frank could never have been predicted -- unlike the abrupt, catastrophic climate change which is about to transform everything. Forty Signs of Rain is an unforgettable tale of survival which captures a world where even the innocent pattern of rainfall resounds with the destiny of the biosphere.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this cerebral near-future novel, the first in a trilogy, Robinson (The Years of Rice and Salt) explores the events leading up to a worldwide catastrophe brought on by global warming. Each of his various viewpoint characters holds a small piece of the puzzle and can see calamity coming, but is helpless before the indifference of the politicians and capitalists who run America. Anna Quibler, a National Science Foundation official in Washington, D.C., sifts through dozens of funding proposals each day, while her husband, Charlie, handles life as a stay-at-home dad and telecommutes to his job as an environmental adviser to a liberal senator. Another scientist, Frank Vanderwal, finds his sterile worldview turned upside down after attending a lecture on Buddhist attitudes toward science given by the ambassador from Khembalung, a nation virtually inundated by the rising Indian Ocean. Robinson's tale lacks the drama and excitement of such other novels dealing with global climate change as Bruce Sterling's Heavy Weather and John Barnes's Mother of Storms, but his portrayal of how actual scientists would deal with this disaster-in-the-making is utterly convincing. Robinson clearly cares deeply about our planet's future, and he makes the reader care as well. FYI:Robinson's Mars trilogy (Red Mars, etc.) received one Nebula and two Hugo awards.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School–An elegantly crafted and beguiling novel set in the very near future. Anna Quibler is a technocrat at the National Science Foundation while her husband, Charlie, takes care of their toddler and telecommutes as a legislative consultant to a senator. Their family life is a delight to observe, as are the interactions of the scientists at the NSF and related organizations. When a Buddhist delegation, whose country is being flooded because of climate change, opens an embassy near the NSF, the Quiblers befriend them and teach them to work the system of politics and grants. The Buddhists, in turn, affect the scientists in delightful and unexpectedly significant ways. The characters all share information and theories, appreciating the threat that global warming poses, but they just can't seem to awaken a sense of urgency in the politicians who could do something about it. (Robinson's characterizations of politicians are barbed, and often hilarious.) As the scientists focus on the minutiae of their lives, the specter of global warming looms over all, inexorably causing a change here, a change there, until all the imbalances combine to bring about a brilliantly visualized catastrophe that readers will not soon forget. Even as he outlines frighteningly plausible scenarios backed up by undeniable facts, the author charms with domesticity and humor. This beautifully paced novel stands on its own, but it is the first of a trilogy. As readers wait impatiently for the next volume, they will probably find themselves paying closer attention to science, to politics, and to the weather.–Christine C. Menefee, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 368 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Pb (February 7, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0007148887
• ISBN-13: 978-0007148882
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (79 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,747,213 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Kim Stanley Robinson is a winner of the Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Awards. He is the author of eleven previous books, including the bestselling Mars trilogy and the critically acclaimed Fifty Degrees Below, Forty Signs of Rain, The Years of Rice and Salt, and Antarctica--for which he was sent to the Antarctic by the U.S. National Science Foundation as part of their Antarctic Artists and Writers' Program. He lives in Davis, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 53 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Partly Cloudy, Chance Of Showers, November 4, 2004

By 

Ted Dunning (Republic Of California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Forty Signs of Rain (Hardcover)

Man alive, it kills me to have to give this review. Mr. Robinson is one of the most talented writers of thinking-person's SciFi currently working. He writes really good stuff. He has never been known for bang-zoom, action every three pages, laserbeams and killer robot stories, but for more cerebral settings of scenes and intricate, believable characters. His "Antarctica" and the California quasi-trilogy are examples of books that don't contain a whole lot of "action" per se, but are excellent reads nonetheless. I love phasers and photon torpedoes as much as the next geek, but Robinson has consistently delivered when it comes to satisfying and highly readable SciFi of a more relaxed, thoughtful nature. His Mars trilogy, which contains a few examples of what could be considered literary tedium (multi-page descriptions of what a rock outcropping looks like, an excessive fondness for the word "glossolalia"), is still far and away my favorite series from any author.

I've noticed that most of the negative reviews so far seem to be coming from my same frame of mind. That is, trying to rationalize Forty Signs of Rain (henceforth FSOR). Trying to find a way to defend it. No one seems eager to dismiss this book, and why should we be? We admire this writer and his work and have been eagerly anticipating this book. Nobody likes to be disappointed.

So what went wrong? I wish I knew. It is easy to say that in this book, not a lot happens (because not a lot does). But that seems unfair, too easy, too general. Not a lot "happens" in "The Gold Coast" but it's still a very enjoyable book. Much of FSOR centers around the travails of parents raising children - taking sons to the park, packing lunches, adult banter about children. It's easy to say that what is wrong here is that as I have no children, I can't as a reader identify with these characters. But that's a bullhockey (that is, logically inconsistent) criticism, because I may not be a drugged-out ex-astronaut or an awkward polymath scientist but I can still identify with his characters John Boone and Sax Russell. Because KSR is a good writer. Those characters are well written.

Again, what's the problem? This question is vexing me, because I can't put my finger on the answer. Read any given page of FSOR and it's quality writing. There's a few moments of brilliance. His use of game theory and prisoner's dilemma as applied to driving - particularly the way he contrasts east coast and west coast drivers - genius. That passage in particular made me think "That's great! Why didn't I think of that?"

I guess it's just that this novel is not about what it purports to be about. I should hasten to add that there is no deliberate deception on the part of the author in that regard. I honestly believe KSR was trying to craft as best he could a gripping set-up to an extended story of vast climate change. Unfortunately, that is not what he delivered. We get 350-odd pages, the first 320 or so of which are phone calls, meetings, changing diapers, the accurate description of what takes place in the research lab of an under-funded biotech start-up (which is very little), and a smattering of data tidbits about the environment and primate sociology in pre-chapter italicized asides. Only in the last 25-some pages do we get any Mother-Earth-gone-wrong action. And even then, it's... meh. Washington, D.C. is hit with two days of hard rain coupled with very high tides, causing portions of the city to get covered in water up to your knees. People get stuck in offices. Animals are released from the zoo so they won't drown. Then the rain stops. That's about it. Sorry for the spoiler, but it's the only way I can express what I felt made this book sink or swim, pun intended.

Is my complaint that this book is too... realistic? Perhaps so. It's certainly not straight-SciFi in the traditional sense. Not that there's anything wrong with that. If I may compare and contrast, everything that was wrong with the movie "Day After Tomorrow" is what is NOT wrong with this book. OK, that's awkward. Let me rephrase. Where "Day After Tomorrow" went much too far, FSOR does not go far enough. I'm willing to suspend disbelief enough for a gripping story. Is it a fair criticism to say that it's TOO believable?

Readers of KSR's Mars trilogy (actually four books if you count "The Martians") will remember the abrupt climate change that takes place on Earth in the second book. It seems Mr. Robinson has taken that idea and decided to expand and explore it, and kudos to him for doing so. This first book of his new effort just needed a little - no, a lot - more "ooomph."

Here's hoping for more and better in the future. I really do have great hope for this series. Rapid climate change is a fascinating topic, a very real danger to which we as readers can relate. In the capable hands of a writer of Robinson's skill, this could be a very enjoyable and memorable series. Hopefully he won't confine it to a trilogy. Four or even five books would be awesome.

Mr. Robinson, get a nice cup of coffee, go back to the drawing board (or laptop), and more or less start over with Book #2 of the series. It'd be great if FSOR is to the remaining as-yet-unwritten books what "The Hobbit" was to the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. And since Mr. Robinson resides in a community whose verdant avenues are all named after people and places from Tolkien, he should take heart.

Time to wrap this up. Short and sweet, I'm not. 3 stars, E for effort but a C+ overall, needs improvement. Known to be capable of much better work.

Suggestions -

1) Mr. Robinson, sit down at the laptop and kick ass. We all know you can. Blow our socks off with part deux. Try to put from your mind all worries of Davis politics (the proposed development south of Russell Boulevard, the Federal BioContainment Facility, the de-bohemianization of the E Street Cafe Roma) and concentrate on the novels. Publish before Ashcroft deems your books to be subversive. :)

2) Some constructive criticism, to wit: Your hard science is great and spot-on, as always. No doubt you'll keep it up. Plenty of new material to work with, such as the sudden and unexplained increase of CO2 in the last two years, over and above the normal rate of increase, as recently reported by the Mauna Loa observing facility (which would have been front page news if Hawaiian atmospheric scientists ruled the world, and God willing one day they will).

3) When you have finished writing these books, run for office in California. Seriously. Too many actors and not enough writers have governed our Golden State. Myself and many others would campaign tirelessly for you. Give it some thought.

Hope this review didn't come off as harsh, that wasn't my intention. Keep up the great work. Do greater.

Take care and all the best, Ted

53 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A thriller thanks to thrilling ideas and a future we share, June 20, 2004

By 

Christopher (Denver, Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forty Signs of Rain (Hardcover)

For KSR fans:

* This is old school KSR, and it's awesome. I think this book is best compared to The Gold Coast. Fun and meandering, lots of conversations and reflection. But as that book set-up a large framework that wasn't fully utilized, this one is unquestionably configured to thrill.

* This will likely be your fastest KSR read yet. The story is very focused, especially compared to TYORAS. It is less poetic than TYORAS, more driven than Mars, and none of the KSR that you love is lost.

For new KSR readers:

* This is a book about people who will use the great gifts of the mind to solve the puzzle of global warming and radical climate change. They use their gifts for other things, too--like being a good dad, having fun conversations with Tibetans, savoring their favorite places, and having crushes on mysterious strangers. This book is not just a one-trick pony... these characters are rich and well-rounded... a mirror of their author.

* If someone says this is science fiction, they haven't read the book - this is simply a novel. Some of the characters are scientists, and they have fascinating ideas, but that's as "hi-tech" as it gets.

* I think the experience for most of you will be that you digest 40 pages, reflect and think "Where are we going?", maybe even "Why am I reading this?"... but the book will stay close at hand. Another 40 pages, another feeling of mild puzzlement. But something will keep you going... and you'll approach the end, excited to find yourself in the middle of a fun trilogy, one that you start to appreciate personally, a new little secret, and a new favorite author to boot (who has written a lot of great stuff, to tide you over until the next release).

For both:

Yes, this book is a real-world Day After Tomorrow, written by a professional and popular author. And yes, this book has rich ideas and characters for every special effect the movie had. But more than that, it just has that 'special something' that we, as readers, hope for. Have you ever taken a magical trip through the world as it really is? That may sound strange, but this is a perspective-shifting work, on multiple levels... a book that will bring not only the subject of the climate crisis closer to your heart, but will reveal why humanity is (in fact) so worth saving. That is KSR's gift.

If you're even considering reading this book, you should... it's fast-paced, thoroughly interesting and enlightening... it'll be an exciting trilogy, one that you'll be happy to jump into this early. And the next book will soon be available on amazon's british site (.co.uk).

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good stuff, February 6, 2006

By 

Stephen (Ottawa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Forty Signs of Rain (Mass Market Paperback)

I don't understand where the negative reviewers are coming from. This is a straightforwardly gripping little tale of science and politics that presents a cast of intelligent and interesting characters, all involved (quite credibly I thought)in the day to day workings of US government and scientific institutions. The science fiction scenario is that we're a little further down the road toward major climate change. But Robinson isn't giving us a conventional "if this goes on" disaster story, or it doesn't look like it at this point. (I haven't read the 2nd book yet.) He seems to be trying to look at how the relevant institutions might respond, not just show us brave smart people coping with chaos. At any rate, there's more than enough enough interest in the lives and thoughts of these characters to keep a reader entertained.

I should perhaps note that I haven't read much sf in recent years, though I read a great deal of it in my youth in the 1960s and 70s. This is the 1st book by Robinson I've read. It won't be the last.