Reread: Aristoi

 Aristoi is Walter Jon Williams' science fiction novel about a world in which nanotechnology, biotechnology, virtual reality, and the science of human potential maximization has reached its apex. I remember reading it back when it was published in the 1990s, and re-reading it now shows how good science fiction hasn't aged at all.

For instance, the power postures described in the book foreshadowed Amy Cuddy's "power poses" (which were later shown to be of dubious value), and the elite Aristoi ruling class's sense of ego also foreshadowed the ways our political elites behave today.

What's also interesting is how the Aristoi cultivate their different personalities in controlled schizophrenia, something I haven't seen explored anywhere else.

The plot revolves around an unknown Aristoi cultivating a group of planets/star systems and seeding them with barbaric civilizations (essential medieval recreations, including horrific diseases). Then a member of the Aristoi class is murdered and suddenly a conspiracy is suspected. Our protagonist, an Aristoi himself takes it upon himself to investigate, and the exploration of a medieval recreation from the perspective of someone who considers civilized is interesting in itself, as well as the final unveiling of the perpetrators and eventual resolution of the story.

What's interesting to me is that the book doesn't tie all the loose ends up neatly, indicating that a sequel could have been planned but was probably never executed. The story stands along very well, however, and is an enjoyable read. Recommended.