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 Chaga by Ian McDonald
reviewed by John Kenny
Original appearance: Albedo one issue 13, 1997
CHAGA is a book of many elements: there's the Chaga, a biological phenomenon from deep space which is travelling toward us and sending biological packages on ahead to be deposited on our planet, there to flourish, expand and transform land and sea. There's Africa, which dominates the novel, portrayed, along with its people, in rich and loving detail; you can practically smell the place. There's Gaby McAslan, a journalist with SkyNet News, who is sent to Africa to cover the onslaught of the Chaga. And there's her developing relationship with Shepard, a high ranking official with UNECTA, a UN policing force trying to understand the encroaching phenomenon and handle mass evacuations.
Overall, a very successful piece of work, but there were a couple of minor irritants. There must have been 40 or 50 references to science fiction books, authors, TV shows, films, etc. scattered throughout, something which I think provincialises a work. You can almost anticipate the author dying to get in another reference at the next possible opportunity. And the numerous references to football seem forced. They are crowbarred into the book and do nothing but impede the story.
Having said that, these are only minor things. There's a real sense of verisimilitude in the novel and a gathering sense of Clarkeian wonder towards the end. But my abiding memory of Chaga will always be the vivid evocation of the birthplace of humankind, Africa.
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