F/SF

Great book. Silverberg accomplishes more per page than a lot of authors do. ( )

SF is varied, it's not always about space, technology, gadgets, artificial intelligence. Robert Silverberg takes a different approach, a more spiritual one, so to speak. This book is apparently based on [b:Heart of Darkness|4900|Heart of Darkness|Joseph Conrad|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392799983s/4900.jpg|2877220] by [a:Joseph Conrad|3345|Joseph Conrad|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1403814208p2/3345.jpg] and, in a way, [b:Gulliver's Travels|7733|Gulliver's Travels|Jonathan Swift|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1427829692s/7733.jpg|2394716] by [a:Jonathan Swift|1831|Jonathan Swift|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1183238507p2/1831.jpg].

The title comes from a quote from Ecclesiastes:

Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?

ECCLESIASTES 3:21

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The main character, Gundersen, travels back to the jungle planet (Holman's World, as it was named by man, although its original name was Belzagor) on which he, 8 years ago, had the task to prepare it for human settlement, to colonise it. The already present population and creatures resemble elephants, apes (sulidor / sulidoror when plural), mountain goats, and what have you. Mainly the elephant-like creatures, nildor (nildoror when plural), were used as workforces, just like on Earth. Little did Gundersen and the other people sent out on this mission know or realise that these populations (by lack of a better term) have their own way of communicating, their own language(s), their own way of living, and so on, even if they aren't capable of setting up a "modern" civilisation, aren't active in the world of art, ... Hence (unjustly) seeing them as savages and mere animals.

All this takes place in a far future; many installations are automated, there are robots who take care of certain tasks. Any repairs are also done automatically, when the tools are present and the machinery hasn't succumbed to the local circumstances (wear and tear, climate, ...). Gundersen left when man had to relinquish their "rights" to the planet. Other stayed, for whatever reason. The installations (hotel, bungalow, research stations, ...) are decaying, slowly but surely, because the local populations have reclaimed and taken back possession of their land and traditions.

Eight years after his leaving, he decides to return to witness a strange kind of ceremony. Upon arrival, he knows he will have to follow the local laws and rules. Since he wants to go to the mist-shrouded country up north, he must obtain permission from an elder nildor. This he gets, but under one condition: bring back a man who committed a crime, but is hiding in sulidor (the fanged ape-like creatures) country.

One thing leads to another and Gundersen can finally begin his new mission, despite the difficulties he experiences. Cold weather, varying levels of humidity, etc., all without proper preparation. Just his jungle outfit. Like, dude, you've stayed ten years on that planet, surely you know that you need to prepare when moving out? Food, clothing, tools, ...? It's a miracle he didn't freeze to death or have migraines or something else.

The encounter with his former lover, Seena, is awkward, but memories pop up again and it's like they never separated. Seena is described in a typical, objective way, although she still cares about Gundersen, but also her new husband, Kurtz. Kurtz was one of the researchers, who messed with the nildoror's culture (snake venom). He also wanted to see what this "rebirth" ceremony entailed, but didn't come out as expected. The nildoror and sulidor have to go through this process when they're called, almost like Muslims have to, at least once in their lives, go to Mecca. Only on Belzagor, the process is indeed life-changing and depends on your inner being, your soul. That's also when Gundersen sees the light about himself and the local populations.

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I am positively surprised by how good this novel is. Silverberg's writing is quite fluid and very descriptive. He described the populations, the environment (plants, rocks, buildings, ...) as detailed as was necessary to make the story more lively, to have the reader experience it all from a front-row seat. The message is one about respect for others, for other cultures, for anything that may not conform or correspond to your own view on life. It's about looking inward. It's also a complaint against colonialism and (mainly western?) supremacy towards, as I saw it, African, Asian, and other people.

Despite a few details (e.g. the flawed character who, as a former governor of the planet, finds it unnecessary to properly prepare his visit and travels; but you can somehow sympathise with him and the locals / the way Seena is described / ... - one must realise, though, that the story was written more than 40 years ago), this book is recommended reading material, whether you're into SF or not. ( )

Reliving old sins
curiosity, remorse
it's all about you. ( )

the planet and the aliens are truly different than the human explorers - every character and culture is well-developed - one of the few Silverberg I liked ( )