ISBN: 0-380-78914-0 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com
Reviewed by Neil on April 21, 1998 (rev. 3)
Genre: Science Fiction (Mystery, Slavery, Military, Mild BDSM, Intrigue)
Synopsis: Dostovesky meets Anne Rice in outer space
Full Review: Noboby expected this Inquisition
One of the particular delights offered to the sub-culture that enjoys science fiction is the pleasure of contrariness. Authors trapped in realism are also trapped in the acceptable morality of their day, and have only a short range of characters and situations to wander in before they are stopped by a rather conventional sense of what is probable and permissible. The modern novel must be real enough to be called fiction; otherwise it might degrade into fantasy or speculation and end up reviewed on this page. Science fictions author can construct entire worlds to wander in, or, they can take a premise worn to a cliche and reverse it. One can, for instance, make a novel about the Inquisition, and make the inquisitors view seem normal.
Susan Mathews is a writer who has taken this freedom authored a well written novel about her protagonist: Andrej Koscuisko. In his universe, the "bench federation of worlds" is held together by a quasi-religiou= s organization that enforces justice though judical torture: the Inquisition. Aspiring inquisitors are trained in the legal degree of torture; but there are strict limits on what degree of torture can be applied, and by whom. A form of punishment is to turn convicted felons into "bond-involuntary", slaves to a brain-bonded governor that instantly and painfully punishes the slighted deviation from obedience. The bond-involuntaries are then assigned to become assistants to the Inquisitors.
"The Prisoner of Conscience" is a second novel in this world, followi= ng the also excellent first novel, "The Exchange of Hostages". The above world description does not give an adequate feeling of the complexity and reality of the world. Her inquisitors are not mere fanatical puppets, but concerned enforcers of the law. I really like the idea of the inquisitors not being fanatical cardboard priests but too-real career-mad lawyers. Having know both lawyers and priests I'm quite read= y to believe that lawyers make far better inquisitors. Andrej is a complex character, torn between revulsion to his task, but sticking to his profession since he was raised in a strong tradition of filial devotion, and his stern father demands he remain on the bench as a matter of honor. He is even more torn when he discovers he is sexually excited by torture, and can barely restrain himself in his sessions to keep within the strict legal limits of the torture.
In this novel Andrej is sent to a penal facility where hundreds of prisoners- freedom fighters- are awaiting interrogations. He discovers the camp administration has turned to genocide, and he must, while torturing and executing the prisoners, find a way to fight and destroy the malignant guards and administrators.
The world of the bench seems perverse, but the lasting effect in this well written novel is morality and complexity and ambiguity. The hero obtains intense sexual pleasure followed by intense guilt. The bond-involuntaries hate their slavery but respect their master and try to shield him. The inquisitor destroys freedom fighters with legally sanctioned torture, but then rescues them from a darker fate. Susan Mathews, by turning cliches on their head, and facing the unpleasant does that rarity- helps us explore the human soul and the reach of its choice. The only reason to lift up a rock is to see what's underneath.
Overall: 7;
Avon Books, February 1998
ISBN: 0-380-78914-0 Order from: Amazon.com Barnes & Noble.com