Remnant population by Elizabeth Moon

Ofelia has lived on Colony 3245.12 for forty years, outliving her husband and bringing up her son. Now she lives with him and his wife, looking after her garden, and expecting to see out her life on this isolated colony. When the Company decides to shut it down and send all the inhabitants off to a strange place, she decides to stay unbeknownst to the authorities. Alone she uses her skills to maintain what she needs to live a peaceful life, without the interference and criticism of anyone. Then a reconnaissance ship arrives, its inhabitants are killed and she discovers that she is not the only person living in her paradise.

The following from the publisher blurb says it all: “Finalist for the Hugo Award. "Ofelia - tough, kind, wise and unwise, fond of food, tired of foolish people - is one of the most probable heroines science fiction has ever known."- Ursula K. Le Guin.”

This is a novel that celebrates the wisdom, usefulness and intelligence of older people. Ofelia has been denigrated by her son and daughter-in-law and cast into a minor role in the colony. Left to herself, she shows ingenuity in surviving, and calm in her isolation. When the first contact people arrive, she can communicate easily and eventually comes into her own, regardless of her age.

Older readers will revel in the story of Ofelia, an older protagonist, the descriptions of her life and skills and the strange aliens who live on the planet. Self-educated, her growing confidence in herself as a diplomat and the way she manages the first contact with an alien species is a joy to read. Although first published in 1996, it is relevant today. As an older person, I enjoyed the way Moon critiqued ageism and sexism, and will certainly pick up more books written by her.

Themes: Science fiction, Aging, Ageism, Aliens, Feminism.

Pat Pledger