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Air

Brief Description
Air is wonderful...Ryman is a true, graceful writer, and this is a novel you move into and inhabit for as long as you can make it last — Kit Reed This book constantly surprised me ... great for a lot of seriously original ideas and a... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
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Winner of the BSFA Award 2005, the James Tiptree Award 2005, and the Arthur C. Clarke Award 2006

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Air is wonderful...Ryman is a true, graceful writer, and this is a novel you move into and inhabit for as long as you can make it last

— Kit Reed

This book constantly surprised me ... great for a lot of seriously original ideas and a deep dive into the consequences

— Goodreads Reviewer

Mae Chung lives in the rice-farming village Kizuldah, in Karzistan. She's a self-styled fashion expert, guiding the village women in dress, make-up and hairstyle, which makes her an informal village leader.

When the UN decides to test Air — a radical new technology that works without power lines or machines — Mae finds herself with the memories of a deceased village elder, Mrs Tung. Struggling with information overload, the resentment of much of the village, and a complex family situation, Mae works fiercely to learn what she needs to ride the tiger of change.

Geoff Ryman's triumphant return to science fiction is a powerful, evocative story of information technology in a changing world.

Series: S.F. MASTERWORKS

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781399640398

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 14 May 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Gateway

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 36.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 280g

Pages: 400

About the Author

Geoff Ryman is a Canadian living in the United Kingdom. His first book based on events in Cambodia was published in 1985, the award-winning The Unconquered Country. The King's Last Song was inspired by a visit to an Australian archaeological dig at Angkor Wat in 2000. He has been a regular visitor since, teaching writing workshops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap twice, and publishing three further novellas set in Cambodia. In Britain he produced documentaries for Resonance FM, London, on Cambodian Arts. He has published nine other books and won fourteen awards. He teaches creative writing at the University of Manchester.

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