The Unbalancing, by R.B. Lemberg (Tachyon)
R. B. Lemberg’s The Unbalancing is an exquisite marriage
of imaginative world-building, insightful relationships, and compelling story. Here
stars are sentient, ghosts speak to their descendants, both sexuality and gender
are accepted as fluid, and people work magic through their “deepnames.” It’s also
a sweet love story between a reclusive poet and the brash new starkeeper who’s tasked
with the care of a restless, unhappy, submerged star.
The story is rich in unexpected yet consistent details. Through
the dual viewpoints, Lemberg guides the reader through the complexities of a
world that is just like enough to our own to feel familiar and yet challenging at
every turn. Its differences invite us to re-examine our assumptions about people,
their nature, and their relationships. What would it be like if every person
figured out for themselves if they belonged to a single gender, and if so which
one, a combination, or an entirely new one? How does this affect political
power? How is physical intimacy negotiated? Lemberg’s characters exemplify consent (“Is this good?” “Do you want me to go
on?” “What would you like?”) as a normal, natural part of courtship, one the modern
human world could emulate.
As with Lemberg’s previous novella, The Four Profound
Weaves, The Unbalancing is a tale of emotional power and superbly
handled prose that often approaches poetry in its nuance and poise. Highly
recommended, with the suggestion that it be read slowly and savored.
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