There’s a Turtle Involved: Drift

I feel it’s relevant to say, that although I haven’t posted in 7 months, I actually re-read Red Rising (by Pierce Brown) last night, in honor of Golden Son‘s release this week (mine arrives Monday) and I’m just too excited.

Here’s a book I’ve been meaning to tell you about for old time’s sake. I read it shortly after Red Rising (the first time).

Drift by M. K. Hutchins

Rating: Good and fun! (It’s been too long for numbers.)

Basic Summary: Civilization resides on the back of a giant turtle, with a big ol’ tree growing in the middle. Survival depends on taking care of the turtle, so it can flee your enemies, and not having any more kids than necessary, so you don’t weigh the turtle down. But things attack the turtle in the water too.

My Thoughts: This book was so odd. And it was lovely! It didn’t push the weirdness too far (in my opinion), it was an odd philosophical premise, but the story is otherwise grounded in a very simple and straightforward narrative. With just a few changes, it wouldn’t be difficult to imagine this as the story of a boy living in a little cottage dreaming of being a knight.

So Tenjat, our protagonist, lives on the turtle with his sister and a decent amount of other folk. Their parents died in the mysterious circumstances that led them to this particular small turtle town (key plot point). Tenjat wants to be a Handler, so he won’t be left with the embarrassing fate of marrying and needing to have his own children to take care of him in old age. Why add to the (physical) burden their sick turtle has to deal with, when instead he could be a Handler and fight the things in the water that attack the turtle and will lead to its death?

For unknown reasons, his sister opposes his quest to join the Handlers. Of course he does it anyway, and he shows some oddly remarkable traits. That just so happen to match the oddly remarkable traits of the only female handler. Because there are some things only men can do, and some things only women can do. Except, on a few of these, when it comes to them.

The book gets into some odd philosophical things (nothing preachy), and just creates such a well-envisioned world. It’s never heavy deep, and honestly a light read that kind of carries you along.

Bonus Section: Wikipedia article on the talking point that the Universe is on the back of a giant turtle, who is on another turtle, etc. Don’t worry, in Drift there is only one layer of turtles.

The Wrap-Up: An odd delight that sticks with me, even though I read it many moons ago. Try it out if you’re looking to mix things up, or if you’re in a rut.