I’ve been wanting to dive into another Nicola Griffith book after reading Slow River a while back, which is why I put Ammonite on my Christmas wish-list. This was an interesting novel to read after just finishing Blue by Abigail Padgett. I’m not intelligent enough on the subject to speak too heavily on this, but the competing feminist theory both presented caused for some stimulating thought progression in my personal life.
The concept Ammonite introduces: people are people, no matter the gender. As opposed to the theory from Blue which is that men and women are innately different.
Here’s the plot—
Anthropologist, Marghe Taishan, arrives on planet Jeep to test the reliability of a new vaccine, but more importantly, to discover the secrets of the alien women who reside there. A virus that kills all men and most women, has rendered the occupying military personnel stranded until it can be determined that a vaccine will work and the virus won’t contaminate other planets. However, even if a vaccine is revealed, there isn’t much trust in the military organization that the stranded employees will ever leave. All of this makes it even more vital for Marghe to learn how to survive amongst Jeep’s inhabitants.
Ammonite encompasses two narratives, that of Marghe Taishan as she journeys to find herself in an alien land, and Hannah Danner, commander of the stranded military women, who struggles to lead while knowing, deep down, that they’ve been abandoned. I liked that we got to see this story from multiple angles. I haven’t read enough science fiction to know if this trait is a variable, but I’d say Ammonite is pretty character-focused. I think it needs to be. The plot is interesting and enjoyable, but it relies on these characters being human. Doing human things. Making human mistakes. We see how all of these characters face similar obstacles, share similar dreams, hold the same flaws. Danner’s struggle to face change mirrors that of tribe member Aoife, whose members are dying because she can’t accept that a new way must be made.
In terms of world-building, the differences between Earth and Jeep seemed pretty subtle at first until they weren’t at all. Not only did Jeep have its own creatures, but the planet’s virus changed you pretty intrusively in a way that connected you to the planet. I don’t want to give out any big spoilers, but I found that whole concept very cool. The imagery provided of Jeep was also pretty enticing. What I wouldn’t give to watch a sky like that, or wait out one of those storms (under shelter, of course).
I realize that for some readers, now is not the best time to read a novel that includes a man-killing virus. This reader likes to lean in to the harsh realities of the world and found it a rather fitting end review for the year. Of course, it’s completely sensible if one preferred to hold off on reading Ammonite. I think this is a novel that will stick with me for a while though. If I’m being honest with you, about halfway through I asked aloud to my partner, “How is this a book about gender.” It wasn’t until I finished that I got it. That I was able to see the complete picture. From what I know about feminism, Ammonite encompasses it to a tee.