The Quiet War

16 hrs. 45 min.

Language Russian

Author Paul J. McAuley

Narrator Sergey Orobchuk

The twenty-third century. Earth, which has survived an ecological catastrophe, turns to the ideals of pre-industrial Eden. Political power on the planet is divided among several influential families, while millions of people are engaged in enslaved labor to restore the ecosystem. Meanwhile, on the moons of Jupiter and Saturn, the descendants of fugitives from Earth—“the дальние” (the far ones)—have built autonomous cities and settlements. Work on altering the genome is carried out there, and traditions of a democratic society are maintained.

The fragile balance between the far ones and Earth’s dynasties is disrupted by outsiders from extraterrestrial colonies who are trying to escape their small artificial paradise, colonize other planets, and give humanity a new direction for development. Earthlings want to stop the expansion before it’s too late. Political intrigues, sabotage, espionage—two branches of humanity are moving toward war…

The Arthur C. Clarke Prize — Nominee, 2009 // Novel

1. The Quiet War 2. Gardens of the Sun (narrated by Sergey Orobchuk)