First published 2021
The greenhouse effect has transformed Earth into a planet of superstorms and deadly heat waves. Rising seas flood coastlines while virulent pandemics spread across continents. Against this backdrop of climate chaos, one visionary proposes a master plan to reverse global warming through what he calls an "elemental" solution. His Big Idea promises to cool the planet, but the cure may prove more dangerous than the crisis itself. From Texas ranches to Dutch palaces, from Himalayan peaks to the Chihuahuan Desert, diverse characters across cultures must confront the real consequences of both climate breakdown and the proposed fix. Each faces a stark question: can humanity survive the treatment needed to heal a dying world? Stephenson weaves together their stories as they grapple with technology that could save or doom civilization.
Genres: science-fiction, dystopia, adventure, action, 21st-century, climate-change
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, gritty, high-stakes
Setting: Chihuahuan Desert, Dutch Palaces, Himalayan Peaks, Texas
Period: 21st Century
896 pages · ebook · William Morrow