July 3, 2017

Far-Seer by Robert J. Sawyer

The novel “Far-Seer” by Robert J. Sawyer was published for the first time in 1992. It’s the first of the Quintaglio Ascension trilogy. It won the Homer Award as best novel of the year.

Afsan is an apprentice of the Imperial Court astrologer Tak-Saleed. He has reached the age appropriate to go through the coming-of-age rituals, participating in a hunt and a pilgrimage. He remains hurt during the hunt but his contribution to the killing of a big animal brings him honors.

On the ship carrying him on a pilgrimage, Afsan has the opportunity to talk to Captain Var-Keenir, who uses a far-seer, a new invention that allows him to see far away objects. His master refused to use that instrument but Afsan is too curious and asks the captain to lend him the instrument. His observations lead him to study the motion of celestial bodies but his conclusions go against religious precepts.