Science fiction that weaves together future, past, and present in three separate but interlinked stories that comment on humanity’s penchant for destroying the world, contrasted with an individual’s ability to love. In the first section, we see a futuristic setting where materialism and vanity have been taken to extremes. The planet Orbus has been decimated by the inhabitants, so they are searching for a new planet on which to start over. In the second part, we are abruptly shifted to the 18th century, where Captain Cook’s ship is visiting Easter Island. The titular “stone gods” are a reference to this island’s moai statues. In the last story, set near present time, Earth has experienced World War III (called Post-3 War), a corporation governs society, and people impacted by the fallout are attempting to survive in the wreckage. The protagonists in each of the three times have the same names (Billie/Billy and Spike/Spikkers), and the relationship forming between them is another primary area of focus.

In two of the three timelines, Spike is portrayed as a “Robo-sapiens,” programmed to gain an understanding of humanity, and designed to learn enough to eventually be able to make better decisions for the benefit of society, rather than to its detriment as humans have done. I would like to have seen more deeply drawn characters, especially Spike, as she is of core importance. The dialogue can seem overly-explanatory, but the prose is elegant. At its heart this is a cautionary tale of history repeating itself, not learning from mistakes of the past, and the dangers of overindulgences without regard to impact. Winterson applies this message to themes of environmental responsibility, authoritarian control, and abuse of technology. She examines questions of how an individual can cope in such a society.

The book itself, The Stone Gods, makes several appearances, as well as Captain Cook’s Journal. At times it can be confusing, requiring patience and re-reading in certain sections, but eventually Winterson brings it all together. It’s definitely not for everyone, as it reflects a rather bleak outlook for humankind and the message can become rather heavy-handed. It will appeal to readers of “literary science fiction” in the vein of Ursula K. LeGuin or Margaret Atwood’s MaddAddam trilogy.

Memorable quotes:
“The key to happiness…is tolerance of those who do not do as you do.”

“Love is an intervention. Why do we not choose it?”

“[T]he future of the planet is uncertain. Human beings aren’t just in a mess, we are a mess. We have made every mistake, justified ourselves, and made the same mistakes again and again. It’s as though we’re doomed to repetition.” ( )

At the junction of science fiction and poetry. Achingly beautiful and sad, vast in scope, and intensely personal. ( )

A complex book, telling and retelling stories. It's a philosophical contemplation of ecological disaster shaped kind of like a science fiction book. The science fiction bits are only trapping and decoration, however, to a story that seems to me like Winterson rediscovering her voice. ( )

Maybe it should be four stars? But maybe it's a bit too disjointed?
Perhaps I should just read it again all in one go and see.

Patches of excellent but a bit too patchy overall. ( )

This one was a slow start for me and felt like pretty crappy science fiction. Toward the middle, I began to feel more optimistic and even started to like it, but then it devolved into something resembling Pynchonian slapstick that I found pretty annoying (as I often do when Pynchon does it). I found it a real labor; it's a small book that took me five or six days to wade through. Maybe a closer reading than I gave it would have been more rewarding. ( )