Atlantis

A very striking fantasy set below the ice of the Antarctic where the people of Atlantis live their highly ordered lives in a complex of caves. This richly imagined world is one we can recognise and understand with its codes and culture reflecting human aspirations. The author cleverly establishes the normal viewpoint of her world before having an alien 'human' - Bil - fall into the caves. Bil tries to convey 'his inside-out picture of the world' and continually finds human versions of normality contradicted: extra limbs are never faults here. Asked about the trustworthiness of people above the ice, he can only answer about their wars and grand deceptions. Like Gulliver with the Houyhnhnms Bil admires the Antlanteans and their crafts and skills while wishing to share his knowledge of such human things as the wheel. Sadly, he also brings the flu with devastating effects. That the queen must die to appease their God is finally too much for Bil who attempts to save her. The clash of cultures reaches a sad climax. This is quite exceptional imagining and a sequel is to be hoped for.