We on Earth long for interaction with one another. Humankind is designed simply as a social species. Perhaps it is this mentality that drives us to look to the stars for company. We don’t want to be alone in this infinite galaxy. While there are many movies that depict hostile interactions with alien species, other movies like “E.T.” and “Lilo and Stitch” prove that we really just want new friends.
Lindsay Ellis’s novel“Axiom’s End” takes this genre to a whole new level. In her novel, Ellis tells the story of a first encounter that leads to a deep emotional bond between human and alien, but she also explores the many implications of a first encounter.
One of the more interesting aspects of this novel is that despite being published in 2020, Ellis chose the year 2007 for her setting. This year fell under the presidential administration of George W. Bush. The events of 9/11 were still fresh in everyone’s minds. In another year, the economy would crumble. All of these elements help shape the story and influence many of the protagonist’s decisions.
The main character and protagonist of “Axiom’s End” is Cora Sabino, a college dropout in her early twenties. Cora’s estranged father, Nils Ortega, is a popular conspiracist who has just blown the whistle on a government operation to cover up a first contact with an alien species in 1971.
Although she would like to stay distanced from the whole incident, Cora quickly finds herself in the middle of it when she herself makes contact with an alien. The alien takes Cora as a hostage and gives her an implant that allows them to communicate through thoughts and allows him to control her.
However, Cora finds herself sympathizing with the alien, who she nicknames Ampersand after the codename given to Ampersand’s arrival on Earth by the government. She learns that Ampersand was sent to find the aliens who initially arrived on Earth.
These aliens, called the Fremda group, have been held by the U.S. government for over three decades since their arrival in an attempt to study and communicate with them, to no avail.
Cora convinces Ampersand to turn themselves in. As the only one who can clearly communicate with the alien, she knows she is an asset to the government. In exchange for her service, she’ll make sure Ampersand is allowed to see the Fremda group.
Cora contacts her father’s sister, Luciana, who she has suspected of being more involved with the government’s first encounter than she’s been told. Luciana admits that she was part of the team trying to communicate with the Fremda group.
A major theme of this novel is the importance of truth. One of Nils Ortega’s beliefs is that truth is a human right. As more information is revealed to the public as to what extent they have been lied to, the U.S. government faces very serious consequences. President Bush resigns in order to avoid impeachment. Although “Axiom’s End” is a work of fiction, the scenarios that occur are too easy to imagine if a similar secret was exposed.
“Axiom’s End” is a really fantastic and intriguing read. It’s certainly a book that will make its readers think not only about what it might be like to encounter an alien species, but also what it means to be human.
