Books - The Philosopher's Flight by Tom Miller

The Philosopher's Flight by Tom Miller

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book felt like it had so much potential, but fell short.

The Philosopher's Flight is alternative-history combined with science fiction. Empirical philosophers, who are generally all women, have the ability to draw/perform sigils, which give them the ability to fly, transport, manipulate smoke and other elements, and so on. Its some combination of magic and science. From that background, I thought the author developed a fascinating world in which to tell the story - reimagining the late 19th century and early 20th century based on this development. The ability to weaponize such skills had impacts on the American Civil War and foreign encounters, and, during the time the book is set, on the First World War.

Against this backdrop, there is so much potential for exploration of a myriad of issues and topics. The fact that the weaponry serves as a stand-in for the nuclear age of today, and what rules apply to War. There is a convention or treaty mentioned that references limitations on the use of the science in combat. There is the cultural debate between the empirical philosophers and the "Trenchers," who oppose the use of this skill in all forms. The debate combines all the elements of pure sexism, but also touches on the rejection of new technology and science - echoing both the cultural debate on the role of genders as well as schism between evolutionary science and religious fundamentalism. The book also hints at the broader political ramifications, as there are rallies, references to Congressional debates, and potential legislation discussed.

The combination of these fascinating issues with the primary character being a man attempting to be a recognized empirical philosopher - and receiving fightback from society and classmates as he enters all female Radcliffe - creates an interesting tension. This dynamic makes the book interesting to read and draws a reader in.

Where it comes up short, at least for me, is that it fails to go deeper on these issues, instead settling (over the second half of the book) for a fairly typical coming-of-age story that becomes very predictable. In other words, we're given a fascinating and complex world in which to explore fascinating issues of political and cultural significance, but get just a taste of that in favor of reading about how a boy grows to believe in himself, his powers, and wins over some of his critics (while setting the stage with continued opponents, as this is apparently the first book of a planned series).

That said, its hard to knock the book too much. It was a fun book to read, well written, and well paced. It just could have been so much more.



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