華竜の宮 下

by Sayuri Ueda

滅亡を前に、人類はどう生きるべきか？ベストSF2010第１位、日本SF大賞受賞新世代日本SFの金字塔、ついに電子書籍化。地殻変動で陸地がほぼ水没しても人類は武器を捨てなかった。さらなる絶望的な環境激変は、この星のすべての命に対して決断を迫る。

429 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2012

About the author

Born in Hyogo Prefecture, Sayuri Ueda (上田 早夕里, Ueda Sayuri) is one of the more innovative science fiction authors in Japan. She made her debut in 2003 with Kasei daku barado (Mars Dark Ballad), which won the 4th Komatsu Sakyo Prize. She has published a series of highly original, much discussed works, gaining avid fans not only in Japan but throughout Asia and the West. Karyu no miya (The Ocean Chronicles) won the Hayakawa Publishing “SF ga Yomitai!” Award for Best Japanese SF Novel in 2010, as well as the 32nd Japan SF Award and 10th Sense of Gender Award in 2011. She also writes actively in genres other than science fiction, and in 2018, her historical novel Hametsu no ō (The King of Ruin) was nominated for the 159th Naoki Prize.

Reviews

[Yoshinobu Yamakawa · Rating 4 out of 5]

An epic, apocalyptic sci-fi epic about the oceans that depicts humanity in the face of an unprecedented sea level rise of 260 meters. The game is set in a futuristic society that has been strongly affected by global warming and environmental change, and at its core lies the conflict between two different societies: landers and seafarers. As a result of the submergence of much of the land, serious feuds and tensions have arisen between the two, and their relationships have become increasingly complicated. These conflicts do not arise simply from geographical differences, but also from cultural, value, and historical backgrounds.

The protagonist of the game is Aozumi Seiji, a diplomat for the Japanese government. As he scrambles to resolve conflicts between the government and maritime people in Asian waters, he encounters various difficulties at the negotiating table. In particular, his negotiations with Tsukisome, the female head of the maritime people, shake his fate significantly. Tsukisome is unique in that she has a human form but lacks language skills, and her brain surgery to acquire thinking and language is an important factor in understanding her actions and thoughts.

Overall, this work delves deeply into the various difficulties and ethical dilemmas facing humanity in the future. The emotions depicted in the story — hope and despair, love and hate — are universal themes that resonate with everyone. Hands down, it's a deep subject.

[Yasuo Itoh · Rating 5 out of 5]

プルームテクトニクス理論により、人類を含む生物が絶滅する危機が訪れる。主人公の青澄が官僚世界の中を丁々発止の活躍で生命を救おうとする。SF的には、プルームテクトニクス理論やアシスタント知性体との共生、生命の進化の不思議など、楽しみどころは満載だ。手垢のついた言い方だが、地球の前に人類の活動なんて小さなものだと思わせる。短編の「魚舟・獣舟」の世界観を長編にした作品であるが、さらにSF度が高くなっていると思った。オリジナリティが高い世界観だけでもお腹いっぱいになるくらいの空想をさせてもらえる。この世界観をベースにした他の作品も読みたくなる。いや、読むよ。