A Half-Built Garden

By: Ruthanna Emrys

Narrated by: Kate Handford

A literary descendent of Ursula K. Le Guin, Ruthanna Emrys crafts a novel of extraterrestrial diplomacy and urgent climate repair bursting with quiet, tenuous hope and an underlying warmth. A Half-Built Garden depicts a world worth building towards, a humanity worth saving from itself, and an alien community worth entering with open arms. It's not the easiest future to build, but it's one that just might be in reach.

On a warm March night in 2083, Judy Wallach-Stevens wakes to a warning of unknown pollutants in the Chesapeake Bay. She heads out to check what she expects to be a false alarm—and stumbles upon the first alien visitors to Earth. These aliens have crossed the galaxy to save humanity, convinced that the people of Earth must leave their ecologically-ravaged planet behind and join them among the stars. And if humanity doesn't agree, they may need to be saved by force.

But the watershed networks that rose up to save the planet from corporate devastation aren't ready to give up on Earth. Decades ago, they reorganized humanity around the hope of keeping the world livable. By sharing the burden of decision-making, they've started to heal our wounded planet.

Now corporations, nation-states, and networks all vie to represent humanity to these powerful new beings, and if anyone accepts the aliens' offer, Earth may be lost. With everyone’s eyes turned skyward, the future hinges on Judy's effort to create understanding, both within and beyond her own species.

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books.

©2022 Ruthanna Emrys (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“This complex, complicated, gorgeous musing on the future of humanity and the power of connection, the things we owe to each other and the essential strength of consensus, deserves to be the first contact novel that defines a generation.”—Seanan McGuire

“A fascinatingly rich and original vision of our future world, explored at a moment of crisis; a vitally important exploration of the meaning of family and community; and a refraction of today's conundrums through a fresh interpretation of first contact.”—Malka Older

“Emrys’ fast-paced and fun story paints a picture of a future that’s imaginable within our lifetimes. Hers is a unique and ultimately hopeful vision of the world we might bequeath to our grandchildren.”—Karl Schroeder

delightful

A bit repetitive at times, but a delightful fantasy. I kept anticipating big plot twists that didn't come in the ways I expected. It's a straightforward story but still very enjoyable.

Truly Fantastic

I loved this book so much. It did everything that I could want from a sci-fi: it had a compelling character-driven story, it presented fascinating new ideas, it helped me to see our world in a new light. I simply cannot recommend this book strongly enough!

Wonderfully reimagined first contact

Ruthanna Emrys doesn't turn away from the hard things. This book is beautiful and hopeful, and highlights fears of what we are doing to each other and the planet right now. I would be so thrilled with this version of first contact.

it is about the search for connection

This book deserves better than whatever I can write about it. it is apocalyptic and hopeful and despairing often at the same time and I loved every moment of it. This is the most important book I've read in a long time and I cannot emphasize that enough.

Extraordinary speculative fiction

Like nothing else I’ve ever read. A space opera set on earth. A future that is both dystopian and full of hope and wonder. A fantastic vision of where we could be headed societally and universally. Even the areas where suspension of disbelief are required are done artistically. Super interesting futuristic imagination.

A much needed dose of optimism!

If we are going to address the future’s challenges we need to imagine success. That is the role of utopian science fiction.

Really interesting and engaging story

This was one of the best surprises of the year. Both with the challenges presented in the storyline and the comfort with which the author moved on from current social issues. Extrapolating what happens as society and humanity develop…there is some really fascinating ideas. And a really nice take on first contact.

A warning - this is just about the purest set of triggers for political conservatives and zealots I can imagine (at this time). Surprised there aren’t more of them leaving reviews describing how much they suffer from books like this. Ignore that if it happens. It’s science fiction and speculative future and it’s good.

I also want to give deep appreciation for addressing characters on the spectrum in a reasonable way. And the fluidity and individuality of gender is also nicely done. Any issues with either would be on individual experience, rather than the overall idea…which is how any good idea should be.

I think it’s intentional within the story, but the pronouns, especially corporate, was frustrating. Took me out of the narrative a few times. Will probably listen again to consider that point.

And that’s probably a great point of feedback. I’m going to listen again, and I’m not done considering what the book has to say :)

Naive Politics

Did did listen to the whole book and enjoyed most of it. What did bother me was how naive the politics was. The alien crew that landed did not seem to know how to make friends and influence people. Surely a race as advanced as these would know how to communicate and convince people of their views. They just blundered along. They showed no understanding that a different species would have different customs. I can’t believe a sophisticated space faring race would be so naive.

A Better World is Possible

The best type of Science Fiction, a vision of the future both compelling and corporeal

Got boring, plot disappeared quickly

I wanted to like this book because I like kind sci-fi, but a few chapters in, it became more about gender dynamics than about the encounter/rescue plot. Eventually got bored trying to hold the plot thread with so many characters and not much happening, and I gave up. I’m all for gender progressive books but I need an exciting plot to be the priority.