willowmillway reviewed Trouble on Triton by Samuel R. Delany
Ambiguous heterotopia indeed
5 stars
In his own words, a response to LeGuin's the Dispossessed, Triton exposes the limits of politically conscious fiction. Bron is hilariously relatable asshole who we can't help loving. Even as his government participates in the deadliest war in the history of humanity, he can only think "but what about meeee?". Myself living in a city in a country with a broad safety net and high quality of life, i was made to think often about my own petty problems and even pettier forms of micro-politicing I've participated in that do nothing to mitigate the hot wars and genocides occurring simultaneously not 2,000 mi distance away. The truth is that that is the basis for the pettiness of everyday life. Bron is a black sheep because he was shaped by particular expectations of his youth, expectations that simply don't exist on Triton. It might be that the only expectation is that …
In his own words, a response to LeGuin's the Dispossessed, Triton exposes the limits of politically conscious fiction. Bron is hilariously relatable asshole who we can't help loving. Even as his government participates in the deadliest war in the history of humanity, he can only think "but what about meeee?". Myself living in a city in a country with a broad safety net and high quality of life, i was made to think often about my own petty problems and even pettier forms of micro-politicing I've participated in that do nothing to mitigate the hot wars and genocides occurring simultaneously not 2,000 mi distance away. The truth is that that is the basis for the pettiness of everyday life. Bron is a black sheep because he was shaped by particular expectations of his youth, expectations that simply don't exist on Triton. It might be that the only expectation is that one be totally open and free, which is something not always possible. The way he chases after the Spike, like a rider believing a wild horse will stoop to his will. On a moon like Triton this isn't understood like the romantic yearning that we recognize, rather its just a very peculiar kink for the old-fashioned. He's haunted by his past, how it determines him, how it makes him small. He's thick-headed and constantly humbled for it. He's opposite of Shevek, who in many ways we're supposed to think of as a Great Man. He's a genius, a rebel to everyone, fiercely independent, etc. Despite LeGuin's likely intentions he's very much a messianic figure, well loved and respected, but detached and aloof. It makes for neither a relatable nor very interesting character. Anyways, Delany does it again.
