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y separately published work icon Diaspora single work   novel   science fiction  
Issue Details: First known date: 1997... 1997 Diaspora
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'Set in the thirtieth century, Egan's novel has sentient software on centre stage, with humans as bit players. Egan has always placed ideas above characterisation, and readers of this novel almost need a degree in physics and information technology to follow it. Nonetheless, perseverance will be rewarded, as Egan explores spatial dimensions while trying to define what is humanity, especially when humanity is not involved' (Colin Steele, SF Commentary No 77, p.54).

Notes

  • Part of this novel was adapted from the story 'Wang's Carpets'.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

    • London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,      :       Millennium ,       1997 .
      image of person or book cover 8522959252241327307.jpg
      This image has been sourced from Amazon
      Extent: 295p.
      ISBN: 1857984390 (pbk), 1857984382 (hbk)
    • New York (City), New York (State),
      c
      United States of America (USA),
      c
      Americas,      :       HarperPrism ,       ca. 1998 .
      image of person or book cover 2458563781935618048.jpg
      This image has been sourced from Amazon
      Extent: 290p.
      ISBN: 0061052817 (hbk)
    • London,
      c
      England,
      c
      c
      United Kingdom (UK),
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,      :       Millennium ,       1998 .
      image of person or book cover 5193285527920592044.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: 376p.
      ISBN: 0752809253 (pbk)
    • New York (City), New York (State),
      c
      United States of America (USA),
      c
      Americas,      :       Night Shade Books ,       2015 .
      image of person or book cover 5196485350222685939.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: 334p.
      Edition info: First Night Shade Books edition
      Note/s:
      • Published: 1st April 2015
      ISBN: 9781597805421
Alternative title: Diaspora
Language: Greek
    • Athens,
      c
      Greece,
      c
      Western Europe, Europe,      :       Ekdoseis Boukoumane ,       1999 .
      image of person or book cover 7030951124249096710.jpg
      This image has been sourced from online.
      Extent: 336p.
      ISBN: 9607458303
VIEW PUBLICATION DETAILS FOR ALL VERSIONS ()

Related Works

Wang's Carpets Greg Egan , 1995 single work short story science fiction
— Appears in: Galaxies , September no. 6 1997; (p. 71-109) Oceanic 2009; (p. 203-252)
— Appears in: New Legends 1995; Centaurus : The Best of Australian Science Fiction 1999; (p. 189-219)
Diaspora Robin Fox , 2019 single work musical theatre science fiction

'Inspired by the concepts found in the first chapter of Australian author Greg Egan’s legendary science fiction masterpiece of the same name, DIASPORA presents a uniquely utopian reading of what life might be like if we surrender to the fact that software can be, and in fact is already, superhumanly organic. As we theorise and catastrophise about the perils of handing over control to an AI we often overlook the possibility that software could not only save our species but that it could also be a beautiful step in evolution towards an ethereal, non-body, consciousness. Using projection, illusions and lasers, a truly futuristic visual design houses an ensemble of extraordinary musicians who are charged with sonifying the complex and multi-layered build of a digital life-form.' (Production summary)
VIEW ALL RELATED WORKS (2)

Works about this Work

Geopolitics in Greg Egan's Science Fiction Darren Jorgensen , 2014 single work criticism
— Appears in: Southerly , vol. 74 no. 1 2014; (p. 186-198)
Discovering a Higher Plane: Dimensionality and Enlightenment in Flatland and Diaspora Chris Pak , 2012 single work criticism
— Appears in: Mathematics in Popular Culture: Essays on Appearances in Film, Fiction, Games, Television and Other Media 2012; (p. 304-313)
The Fiction of the Future : Australian Science Fiction Russell Blackford , 2012 single work criticism
— Appears in: Sold by the Millions : Australia's Bestsellers 2012; (p. 128-140) 'According to Russell Blackford 'commercial science fiction is the most international of literary forms.' He observes that 'Australian SF continues to flourish, even if it trails heroic fantasy in mass-market appeal.' Australian SF writers although published internationally, with a dedicated fan followings in USA, UK and Europe, were overlooked for a very long time by Australian multinational publishers. The international editions had to be imported and were then distributed in Australia (Congreve and Marquardt 8). Blackford in his chapter throws light on the history of Australian SF and observes how Australian SF writers, with their concern for the future, achieved a powerful synthesis in form and content. The progress of Australian SF, maturity of style in the work of younger writers, and massive worldwide sales make Blackford optimistic as he asserts that 'the best Australian writers in the genre will be prominent players on the world stage.' (Editor's foreword xii-xiii)
Future in the Flesh Van Ikin , 1998 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 3 October 1998; (p. 12)
— Review of Diaspora Greg Egan , 1997 single work novel ; The White Abacus Damien Broderick , 1997 single work novel
Science Fiction Gerald Jonas , 1998 single work review
— Appears in: The New York Times Book Review , 15 March 1998; (p. 36)
— Review of Diaspora Greg Egan , 1997 single work novel
Untitled Russell Blackford , 1997 single work review
— Appears in: Science Fiction : A Review of Speculative Literature , vol. 14 no. 2 (Issue 40) 1997; (p. 46-50)
— Review of Diaspora Greg Egan , 1997 single work novel
Rock 'n' Roll Dystopia Terry Dowling , 1997 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 27-28 December 1997; (p. rev 24)
— Review of The Art of Arrow Cutting Stephen Dedman , 1997 single work novel ; The Encyclopedia of Fantasy 1997 single work criticism biography ; The Infernal Kim Wilkins , 1997 single work novel ; Diaspora Greg Egan , 1997 single work novel
Defining What Humanity Is Colin Steele , 1997 single work review
— Appears in: The Canberra Times Sunday Times , 21 December 1997; (p. 22)
— Review of Diaspora Greg Egan , 1997 single work novel ; Zones Damien Broderick , Rory Barnes , 1997 single work novel ; Time Marches Off : 2000 Years from Now Paul De Wreder , 1942 single work novel
The Next Three Milennia Damien Broderick , 1998 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , February-March no. 198 1998; (p. 49-50)
— Review of Diaspora Greg Egan , 1997 single work novel
Science Fiction Gerald Jonas , 1998 single work review
— Appears in: The New York Times Book Review , 15 March 1998; (p. 36)
— Review of Diaspora Greg Egan , 1997 single work novel
The Fiction of the Future : Australian Science Fiction Russell Blackford , 2012 single work criticism
— Appears in: Sold by the Millions : Australia's Bestsellers 2012; (p. 128-140) 'According to Russell Blackford 'commercial science fiction is the most international of literary forms.' He observes that 'Australian SF continues to flourish, even if it trails heroic fantasy in mass-market appeal.' Australian SF writers although published internationally, with a dedicated fan followings in USA, UK and Europe, were overlooked for a very long time by Australian multinational publishers. The international editions had to be imported and were then distributed in Australia (Congreve and Marquardt 8). Blackford in his chapter throws light on the history of Australian SF and observes how Australian SF writers, with their concern for the future, achieved a powerful synthesis in form and content. The progress of Australian SF, maturity of style in the work of younger writers, and massive worldwide sales make Blackford optimistic as he asserts that 'the best Australian writers in the genre will be prominent players on the world stage.' (Editor's foreword xii-xiii)
Discovering a Higher Plane: Dimensionality and Enlightenment in Flatland and Diaspora Chris Pak , 2012 single work criticism
— Appears in: Mathematics in Popular Culture: Essays on Appearances in Film, Fiction, Games, Television and Other Media 2012; (p. 304-313)
Geopolitics in Greg Egan's Science Fiction Darren Jorgensen , 2014 single work criticism
— Appears in: Southerly , vol. 74 no. 1 2014; (p. 186-198)
VIEW ALL WORKS ABOUT (9)

Awards

VIEW ALL AWARDS (1)
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