Claire North releases *Slow Gods* extract in New Scientist
Claire North’s *Slow Gods* reveals the origins of its protagonist on the oppressive planet Tu-mdo in a New Scientist Book Club extract, blending harsh world-building with speculative depth. The story’
Claire North’s *Slow Gods*, the New Scientist Book Club’s July pick, drops readers into a gripping extract that reveals the origins of its protagonist
Read Full Story at New Scientist →Why This Matters
Claire North’s *Slow Gods* doesn’t just introduce a new world—it forces readers to confront the psychological toll of oppression when time itself becomes a weapon. The extract’s glimpses into Tu-mdo’s society suggest a narrative where resistance isn’t just possible but inevitable, even if it arrives slowly. For speculative fiction, this is a bold statement on the endurance of human will under systemic control.
Background Context
North’s work often explores power structures through alien or dystopian lenses, but Tu-mdo’s premise feels eerily prescient in an era of algorithmic control and institutional inertia. The planet’s oppressive pace mirrors real-world phenomena like bureaucratic stagnation or the slow-motion crises of climate change, where systemic harm unfolds over generations rather than decades. This isn’t just world-building—it’s a critique disguised as science fiction.
What Happens Next
If the extract’s tone holds, readers can expect a protagonist whose very perception of time becomes a battleground—both a handicap and a hidden advantage. The open question isn’t whether rebellion will occur, but whether it can outpace the planet’s grinding inertia. Watch for how North contrasts Tu-mdo’s stasis with fleeting moments of rapid change, possibly hinting at a cyclical history of resistance.
Bigger Picture
North’s work aligns with a broader trend in speculative fiction: the weaponization of mundanity. Whether through bureaucratic tedium or technological friction, oppression increasingly thrives in the spaces between action and consequence. *Slow Gods* may be set on an alien world, but its themes resonate in contemporary discussions about institutional lethargy and the seductive power of delay.
