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{{Short description|2005 novel by Kim Stanley Robinson}}
{{infobox Book | <!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Novels]] or [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Books]] -->
{{Infobox book | <!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Novels]] or [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Books]] -->
| name = Fifty Degrees Below
| name = Fifty Degrees Below
| title_orig =
| title_orig =
| translator =
| translator =
| image = <!--prefer 1st edition-->
| image = Fifty Degrees Below (Kim Stanley Robinson novel) cover.jpg
| image_caption =
| image_size = 200px
| caption = First edition (UK)
| author = [[Kim Stanley Robinson]]
| author = [[Kim Stanley Robinson]]
| illustrator =
| illustrator =
| cover_artist =
| cover_artist = Dominic Harman
| country = [[United States]]
| country = United States
| language = [[English language|English]]
| language = English
| series = [[Kim Stanley Robinson#Science in the Capital series|Science in the Capital]]
| series = [[Science in the Capital trilogy|Science in the Capital]]
| genre = [[Hard science fiction]] [[novel]]
| genre = [[Hard science fiction]] novel
| publisher =
| publisher = [[HarperCollins]] (UK)<br>[[Bantam Spectra]] (US)
| release_date = 2005
| release_date = 2005
| english_release_date =
| english_release_date =
| media_type = Print ([[Paperback]])
| media_type = Print (Paperback)
| pages =
| pages =
| isbn = ISBN 0-553-80312-3
| isbn = 0-553-80312-3
| dewey = 813/.54 22
| congress = PS3568.O2893 F54 2005
| oclc = 60454714
| preceded_by = [[Forty Signs of Rain]]
| preceded_by = [[Forty Signs of Rain]]
| followed_by = [[Sixty Days and Counting]]
| followed_by = [[Sixty Days and Counting]]
}}
}}
'''''Fifty Degrees Below''''' (2005) is the second book in the [[hard science fiction]] ''[[Kim Stanley Robinson#Science in the Capital series|Science in the Capital]]'' [[trilogy]] by [[Kim Stanley Robinson]]. It directly follows the events of ''[[Forty Signs of Rain]]'', with a greater focus on character Frank Vanderwal, and his decision to remain at the [[National Science Foundation]], following the earlier novel’s superstorm and devastating flood of [[Washington DC]].
'''''Fifty Degrees Below''''' (2005) is the second book in the [[hard science fiction]] ''[[Science in the Capital trilogy|Science in the Capital]]'' [[trilogy]] by [[Kim Stanley Robinson]]. It directly follows the events of ''[[Forty Signs of Rain]]'', with a greater focus on character Frank Vanderwal, and his decision to remain at the [[National Science Foundation]], following the earlier novel’s [[Perfect storm|superstorm]] and devastating flood of [[Washington D.C.]]


==Major Themes==
==Major themes==
The book, and series, looks mainly at possible [[mitigation of global warming|mitigation]] and [[Adaptation to global warming|adaptation]] efforts that could be undertaken to combat the dangers of [[Climate change#Human influences|anthropogenic climate change]], though mainly the plot focuses on an international effort to restart the stalled [[Gulf Stream]]. The focus is mainly on the scientific approach by the [[National Science Foundation|NSF]], and its effort to work with the United States government, the [[United Nations]], and other international bodies.
In the novel (p. 99), Robinson discusses paleolithic activities that human beings should return to in order to give us happiness, as our brains are hard-wired to enjoy such things:


The character of Frank Vanderwal is followed closely through about a year and a half of his life. Alongside his work at the NSF, his storyline focuses mainly on his attempt at a [[paleolithic]] lifestyle, which includes focusing on certain types of behaviour that the human brain has [[evolution|adapted]] to enjoy, such as sleeping outdoors and hunting. Vanderwal also meets a woman who introduces him to the potential and danger of total [[electronic surveillance]].
* walking
* throwing things at things
* having sex
* dealing with the opposite sex
* looking at fire
* talking
* running
* dancing
* singing
* stalking animals
* gathering plants to eat
* cooking and eating
* killing animals for food
* experiencing terror


At a lecture on the Chicago Humanities Festival (Nov 5, 2007) Robinson added a few more:
* making your bed
* looking at the moon

Other major theme looks at possible mitigation efforts that could be undertaken to restore the climate mainly focusing on an international effort to restart the stalled [[Gulf Stream]].
==Reception==
==Reception==
[[Publishers Weekly]] praised for the novel saying "this ecological disaster tale is guaranteed to anger political and economic conservatives of every stripe, but it provides perhaps the most realistic portrayal ever created of the environmental changes that are already occurring on our planet. It should be required reading for anyone concerned about our world's future."<ref name="Publishers Weekly">{{cite journal|date=September 12, 2005|title=Fifty Degrees Below|journal=Publishers Weekly|volume=Vol. 252|issue=Issue 36|pages=p47|issn=0000-0019}}</ref>
''[[Publishers Weekly]]'' praised the novel, saying "this ecological disaster tale is guaranteed to anger political and economic conservatives of every stripe, but it provides perhaps the most realistic portrayal ever created of the environmental changes that are already occurring on our planet. It should be required reading for anyone concerned about our world's future."<ref name="Publishers Weekly">{{cite journal|date=September 12, 2005|title=Fifty Degrees Below|journal=Publishers Weekly|volume= 252|issue= 36|page=47|issn=0000-0019}}</ref> [[Kirkus Reviews]] were mixed in their review saying "though it is fast-paced and exciting, it does occasionally strain believability. Where the author succeeds is in his fascinating speculation about our ecological future, and the steps we could be taking to repair the world for future generations. First-rate ecological speculation, but a second-rate thriller."<ref name="Kirkus Reviews">{{cite journal|date=September 15, 2005|title=FIFTY DEGREES BELOW|journal=Kirkus Reviews |volume= 73|issue= 18|page=1005|issn=0042-6598}}</ref> Janet Raloff reviewing for [[Science News]] said "overall, Robinson's engaging book is a fast-moving, upbeat romp driven by science."<ref name="Raloff">{{cite journal|last=Raloff|first=Janet|date=August 5, 2006|title=Ice Age: From Heroic Scientists to Black-Op Spies|journal=Science News|volume= 170|issue= 6|page=91|issn=0036-8423}}</ref> The novel was nominated for a Locus Award in 2006.<ref name="WWE-2006">{{cite web
| url = http://www.worldswithoutend.com/books_year_index.asp?year=2006
| title = 2006 Award Winners & Nominees
| work = Worlds Without End
| accessdate=2009-07-06
}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Kim Stanley Robinson}}
⚫
[[Category:2005 novels]]

⚫
[[Category:Science fiction novels]]
⚫
[[Category:2005 American novels]]
[[Category:Novels by Kim Stanley Robinson]]
[[Category:Novels by Kim Stanley Robinson]]
⚫
[[Category:2005 science fiction novels]]

[[Category:Novels set in Washington, D.C.]]
{{2000s-sf-novel-stub}}
[[Category:Hard science fiction]]
[[Category:Climate change novels]]
[[Category:Bantam Spectra books]]

Latest revision as of 02:29, 13 April 2023

Fifty Degrees Below
First edition (UK)
AuthorKim Stanley Robinson
Cover artistDominic Harman
LanguageEnglish
SeriesScience in the Capital
GenreHard science fiction novel
PublisherHarperCollins (UK)
Bantam Spectra (US)
Publication date
2005
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (Paperback)
ISBN0-553-80312-3
OCLC60454714
813/.54 22
LC ClassPS3568.O2893 F54 2005
Preceded byForty Signs of Rain 
Followed bySixty Days and Counting 

Fifty Degrees Below (2005) is the second book in the hard science fiction Science in the Capital trilogy by Kim Stanley Robinson. It directly follows the events of Forty Signs of Rain, with a greater focus on character Frank Vanderwal, and his decision to remain at the National Science Foundation, following the earlier novel’s superstorm and devastating flood of Washington D.C.

Major themes

[edit]

The book, and series, looks mainly at possible mitigation and adaptation efforts that could be undertaken to combat the dangers of anthropogenic climate change, though mainly the plot focuses on an international effort to restart the stalled Gulf Stream. The focus is mainly on the scientific approach by the NSF, and its effort to work with the United States government, the United Nations, and other international bodies.

The character of Frank Vanderwal is followed closely through about a year and a half of his life. Alongside his work at the NSF, his storyline focuses mainly on his attempt at a paleolithic lifestyle, which includes focusing on certain types of behaviour that the human brain has adapted to enjoy, such as sleeping outdoors and hunting. Vanderwal also meets a woman who introduces him to the potential and danger of total electronic surveillance.

Reception

[edit]

Publishers Weekly praised the novel, saying "this ecological disaster tale is guaranteed to anger political and economic conservatives of every stripe, but it provides perhaps the most realistic portrayal ever created of the environmental changes that are already occurring on our planet. It should be required reading for anyone concerned about our world's future."[1] Kirkus Reviews were mixed in their review saying "though it is fast-paced and exciting, it does occasionally strain believability. Where the author succeeds is in his fascinating speculation about our ecological future, and the steps we could be taking to repair the world for future generations. First-rate ecological speculation, but a second-rate thriller."[2] Janet Raloff reviewing for Science News said "overall, Robinson's engaging book is a fast-moving, upbeat romp driven by science."[3] The novel was nominated for a Locus Award in 2006.[4]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Fifty Degrees Below". Publishers Weekly. 252 (36): 47. September 12, 2005. ISSN 0000-0019.
  2. ^ "FIFTY DEGREES BELOW". Kirkus Reviews. 73 (18): 1005. September 15, 2005. ISSN 0042-6598.
  3. ^ Raloff, Janet (August 5, 2006). "Ice Age: From Heroic Scientists to Black-Op Spies". Science News. 170 (6): 91. ISSN 0036-8423.
  4. ^ "2006 Award Winners & Nominees". Worlds Without End. Retrieved 2009-07-06.
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