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From the Shadows of the Landscape
By the 37th Century, when the Human Domain stretches hundreds of light years into the Milky Way Galaxy, an alien intelligence is discovered that beckons from far beyond the edge. Its powerful emissions alter perception and known physical laws. To confront the source, a diverse and unlikely crew of humans, clones, and engineered beings embark on a mission beyond explored space aboard a living interstellar ship.
What they find challenges normal assumptions about reality. Despite their own advanced technology, the attempt to survive, whatever that may mean, forces the crew to rely on basic human virtues – love for one another and the courage to trust and forgive.
The author, a retired astrophysicist by profession and poet by avocation, portrays both known science and mind-boggling possibilities for darkness and illumination with a personal reverence and touches of humor.
“A stunning exploration of what we might become—set against the astonishing beauty and transcendent wonder of the unknown.” — Jim Meeks-Johnson, author of the Entangled Galaxy series.
What they find challenges normal assumptions about reality. Despite their own advanced technology, the attempt to survive, whatever that may mean, forces the crew to rely on basic human virtues – love for one another and the courage to trust and forgive.
The author, a retired astrophysicist by profession and poet by avocation, portrays both known science and mind-boggling possibilities for darkness and illumination with a personal reverence and touches of humor.
“A stunning exploration of what we might become—set against the astonishing beauty and transcendent wonder of the unknown.” — Jim Meeks-Johnson, author of the Entangled Galaxy series.
433 pages, Paperback
Published March 7, 2026
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
May 11, 2026
I am a lifelong science fiction reader. As many my age did, I started off with H.G. Wells and Jules Verne, and went from there to Asimov and many others. My current favorite living and writing sci-fi author is N.K. Jemisin. I have read at least a bit of sci-fi.... although certainly not as much as many other people who write reviews on goodreads.
This is one of the most unusual and imaginative science fiction novels I’ve ever read. It’s genuinely unlike anything else — inventive and often delightfully surreal, taking me as a reader to places and situations I could never have conceived on my own. The world-building is extraordinarily rich, populated by a wide spectrum of beings: human, post-human, synthetic, and wholly fantastical, yet all presented within a universe that feels progressive and surprisingly human at its core. The scientific foundation is also impressive; the physics and astronomy are handled with care and credibility, reflecting the author’s background as a professional astrophysicist. If you don't like problems in created universes being solved by magic rather than science, you'll love this book. To a first order approximation at least all of the relativistic physics are in keeping with what we now know.... and those particular laws of physics are unlikely to change between now and the future when this novel takes place in our universe. Despite its sweeping scope and conceptual ambition, the novel ultimately centers on deeply personal themes. Beneath the cosmic scale and speculative ideas, it is, at heart, a story about love, connection, and family.
Richard Durisen is a career and distinguished astronomer and has been working on this book for many years. He is not likely to produce a suite of work comparable to any of the other authors I have mentioned at the start of this review, as this project kicked into high gear when he retired from his professorship. HOWEVER.... what Dr. Durisen does not have in output he makes up for in quality. This is a wonderful novel. This novel was self-published, and is now available on Amazon as a physical softcover book and as an e-book. Self publishing is a realistic option for an author in their 70s who wants to enjoy other people enjoying his book while yet here living on terra firma.
So... check it out and enjoy it!
In full disclosure: Richard and I are longtime friends. But if I did not really believe every word I have written here I would not be posting a review.
This is one of the most unusual and imaginative science fiction novels I’ve ever read. It’s genuinely unlike anything else — inventive and often delightfully surreal, taking me as a reader to places and situations I could never have conceived on my own. The world-building is extraordinarily rich, populated by a wide spectrum of beings: human, post-human, synthetic, and wholly fantastical, yet all presented within a universe that feels progressive and surprisingly human at its core. The scientific foundation is also impressive; the physics and astronomy are handled with care and credibility, reflecting the author’s background as a professional astrophysicist. If you don't like problems in created universes being solved by magic rather than science, you'll love this book. To a first order approximation at least all of the relativistic physics are in keeping with what we now know.... and those particular laws of physics are unlikely to change between now and the future when this novel takes place in our universe. Despite its sweeping scope and conceptual ambition, the novel ultimately centers on deeply personal themes. Beneath the cosmic scale and speculative ideas, it is, at heart, a story about love, connection, and family.
Richard Durisen is a career and distinguished astronomer and has been working on this book for many years. He is not likely to produce a suite of work comparable to any of the other authors I have mentioned at the start of this review, as this project kicked into high gear when he retired from his professorship. HOWEVER.... what Dr. Durisen does not have in output he makes up for in quality. This is a wonderful novel. This novel was self-published, and is now available on Amazon as a physical softcover book and as an e-book. Self publishing is a realistic option for an author in their 70s who wants to enjoy other people enjoying his book while yet here living on terra firma.
So... check it out and enjoy it!
In full disclosure: Richard and I are longtime friends. But if I did not really believe every word I have written here I would not be posting a review.
Displaying 1 of 1 review