The Book Of Strange New Things by Michel Faber

 

Peter has been chosen for a space mission by the mysterious corporation, USIC.  He is to go to a station galaxies away and serve as the pastor for the native population there.  Peter isn't sure why he was chosen since he is just the pastor for a small church and he is married to Bea who is not allowed to accompany him.  But the couple agree that it is a chance to be a missionary not given to many and he should accept. 

When Peter arrives, he is amazed to find that the natives made a request for him; they had another pastor who is no longer there.  They were so adamant that they refused to supply the food the mission depends on until they had another pastor.  The rest of the USIC employees call their home Freakville and the natives have no face as we know it although they do shuffle on two legs.  But they know a bit of English from the first pastor and they seem determined to learn about God and Jesus.

But things are not going well back home.  Bea's communications are full of natural disasters as Earth starts to be affected by climate change.  Soon those disasters feed into a breakdown of law and order and it begins to seem to be dangerous anywhere.  As Peter is consumed with his new duties, a rift opens between the married couple.  Will they find their way back to each other?

This is not a straightforward novel.  Readers may wonder if the purpose is the salvation story of the native population or is it the relationship between Peter and Bea and what one will do to save a primary relationship?  Faber's writing is always good and the book flows but the reader is unsure where it is flowing to.  This book was released soon after the death of his wife and at the time he said he couldn't imagine ever writing anything again so perhaps her illness and death affected his normal writing.  Regardless, there is much to think about in the story of Peter, Bea and those he finds across galaxies.  This book is recommended for literary fiction readers.