Containment

Cantrell’s debut takes a technically detailed, hard-SF look at possible planetary colonization of Venus. Arik is part of Generation V (for Venus), the first generation born off of Earth. Venus has only enough oxygen to support its colonists and 100 members of Gen V. As an adult, Arik tries to develop a process for artificial photosynthesis, but a mysterious accident derails his progress and leaves numerous questions plaguing the people of the V1 colony. Despite a few leaps in logic and some odd assumptions of human behavior—for example, the 50 boys and 50 girls of Gen V are expected to pair up neatly and happily, without divorce, affairs, or homosexuality—Cantrell has produced a thoughtful visualization of a possible future for humankind. (Aug.)