160. (August 2026) Air by Geoff Ryman — The Tabletop Roleplayers' Book Club

Question 8: Gaming

kcaryths — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:39:33 +0000

Does this book have much in it to offer a game system, world, or creator? Does it provide any ideas that one might be able to integrate into a gaming session/world?

Question 7: Science vs Traditional Knowledge

kcaryths — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:38:07 +0000

I often find myself trying to engage with the balance (and sometimes conflict) between newer technology/science and more traditional knowledge. In Canada this can come into focus when engaging with indigenous communities. Does this book have much to say on this topic? Could it have touched on it even more if not?

Question 6: Setting

kcaryths — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:35:40 +0000

I thought this was an interesting setting for the book, and of course was a key point that Geoff Ryman was trying to discuss with technology and culture. Would this book be much different if it was set in an entirely different culture? Small town North America perhaps, or a little village in Europe? Any other settings that might make the main story take a different angle?

Question 5: Air and Disruptive Technologies

kcaryths — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:26:51 +0000

This book was written just before the iPhone came out, and we have now gone through social media and now AI. How does this book tackle the issue of disruptive technologies and their impacts on society and the people that live in it? Did it do a good job of looking ahead to some of the challenges we have already gone through and continue to face with something like AI or did the unlikely nature of some of the tech create too much of a disconnect from reality?

Question 4: Chung Mae

kcaryths — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:23:23 +0000

We follow along with Chung Mae throughout the novel as she makes all kinds of interesting decisions. As she navigated these current and upcoming changes did you find yourself agreeing or relating to her decisions, or did she frustrate you with the things that she did and the decisions she made. Did you like her character, and were rooting for her to figure things out, or did you experience something else?

QUestion 3: Globalization

kcaryths — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:21:22 +0000

The novel bounces around and discuss the topic of who gets to actually benefit (or gets harmed) as technology rolls out - particularly transformative technology. Does Air do a good job of touching on the topic of technology in a globalized world or did it drop the ball there?

Question 2: Technology and Progress

kcaryths — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:19:29 +0000

What do you think the author was trying to say about technology and progress? Is it an optimistic or pessimistic take or something else entirely? Was this done well and do you have thoughts on his views in this area as protrayed in the book?

Question 1: General Thoughts

kcaryths — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 23:17:39 +0000

What are your overall impressions of this book? Did it accomplish what it set out to do (if that was clear)? Was this an enjoyable read? Any overall thoughts on your experience reading it?

About Geoff Ryman

RichardAbbott — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:06:23 +0000

Geoff Ryman is a Canadian living in the United Kingdom. His first book based on events in Cambodia was published in 1985, the award-winning The Unconquered Country. The King's Last Song was inspired by a visit to an Australian archaeological dig at Angkor Wat in 2000. He has been a regular visitor since, teaching writing workshops in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap twice, and publishing three further novellas set in Cambodia. In Britain he produced documentaries for Resonance FM, London, on Cambodian Arts. He has published nine other books and won fourteen awards. He teaches creative writing at the University of Manchester.

About Air

RichardAbbott — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 21:04:07 +0000

"AIR is wonderful...Ryman is a true, graceful writer and this is a novel you move into and inhabit for as long as you can make it last" - Kit Reed

"This book constantly surprised me ... great for a lot of seriously original ideas and a deep dive into the consequences" - Goodreads Reviewer

Mae Chung lives in the rice-farming village Kizuldah, in Karzistan. She's a self-styled fashion expert, guiding the village women in dress, make-up and hairstyle, which makes her an informal village leader.

When the UN decides to test Air - a radical new technology that works without power lines or machines - Mae finds herself with the memories of a deceased village elder, Mrs Tung. Struggling with information overload, the resentment of much of the village, and a complex family situation, Mae works fiercely to learn what she needs to ride the tiger of change.

Geoff Ryman's triumphant return to science fiction is a powerful, evocative story of information technology in a changing world.