Vincent Waciuk‘Shadow of Heaven’ Challenges The Use of Power
Shadow of Heaven (1969) by Bob Shaw is a tight thriller that is both epic and personal. Shaw blends creativity and strong prose in a way that activates the reader’s imagination. Shadow of Heaven is not a masterpiece but rather a good story told well.
Far above the U.S. East coast the anti-gravity platform known as ‘Heaven’ hovers. A fully automated farmland, Heaven helps to feed the teeming billions of Earth after the Compression. However, unknown to most, Heaven hides a secret.
Journalist Victor Stirling’s latest story starts routine but he discovers that his brother, Johnny, is missing. In this world, though, missing usually mean suicide. Victor doesn’t believe his brother would kill himself. His investigation quickly leads Victor to the only place Johnny could hide, Heaven.
Victor quickly discovers that it is possible to get to Heaven but when he does it isn’t what he expects. There is a community on Heaven and Johnny has taken it over. Johnny has a plan for Heaven and unless Victor can stop him billions could die.
Shadow of Heaven is a remarkable novel for one that is so short. Shaw starts off mildly but quickly brings the world to life with interesting details. The events of Shadow of Heaven take place after yet another World War, however, not one typically seen in SF. Shaw ingeniously creates a world where people life in outrageously cramped quarters. Not because of overpopulation but lack of space.
Shaw’s worldbuilding is subtle and believable but it only adds to the flavour of the story. Shaw also writes strong characters. The protagonist, Victor Stirling, is a man of two worlds. He’s just old enough to remember before the war but has lived most of his life in the aftermath. He’s made a good life for himself but like most people he’s quietly dissatisfied. This dissatisfaction is a strong motivating factor for many of the characters.
Yet, as strong as the characters in Shadow of Heaven generally are, Shaw indulges in making the characters a little too competent at times. When his characters get into overwhelming situations they suddenly have skills that don’t completely fit. It doesn’t happen all the time but its enough to notice.
The plot begins as a rescue story. However, when Victor is faced with the reality of what is happening on Heaven the story takes on a very different complexion. This yet another of Shaw’s gifts as a writer. He can lead the reader on one tack and suddenly change it without it being forced or ridiculous. Careless readers are likely to be caught unawares.
Bob Shaw (1931-1996)Sometimes when a story shifts suddenly the effect is jarring. This is not the case with Shadow of Heaven. Shaw has a clear plan and executes it well. When what begins as a small scale story evolves into a larger globally important one the transition is smooth and logical.
As the story progresses Victor confronts people of power of varying degrees. In each of these confrontations the people in power only see their point of view. Shaw implies, correctly, that power severely restricts the ability to see a wider vision. Power may not necessarily corrupt but it certainly narrows the field of view.
Shaw is an author I greatly admire for his ability to create richly dense stories that are easily accessable by even novice SF fans. Shaw creates a driving narrative that stumbles in places but hits the right notes at the right times. Shadow of Heaven is a rough gem that shines brightly in the reader’s mind.
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