December 12, 2005
Souls in the Great Machine
One of my work colleagues recommended this series to me, and I'm completely hooked (the second one is waiting for me on my desk at work, since that's the one she lent to me with the advice that I read the first in the series first, which luckily they had in at the library.)
Souls in the Great Machine
by Sean McMullen
(Book 1: Greatwinter) (Tor, 1999)
Set far in a future (40th-century Australia) where librarians pretty much rule the world and all walk around armed and fight duels to settle disputes, the story follows the Highliber of Libris - aka head librarian - Cymbeline Zavora - and other characters as they create a giant "Calculor" (a giant calculating machine powered by nameless human components with abacuses who remain imprisoned within its workings), fights wars, chase after lost loves, and communicate with ancient technologies left over from a more technological age.
Its a bit crazy but the world is compelling (oh right, cool librarian characters) and very interesting technology questions to ponder. A very satisfying read.