Mae Chung lives in the rice-farming village Kizuldah, in Karzistan. She’s a self-styled fashion expert, guiding the village women in dress, make-up and hairstyle, which makes her an informal village leader.

When the UN decides to test Air – a radical new technology that works without power lines or machines – Mae finds herself with the memories of a deceased village elder, Mrs Tung. Struggling with information overload, the resentment of much of the village, and a complex family situation, Mae works fiercely to learn what she needs to ride the tiger of change.

Geoff Ryman’s triumphant return to science fiction is a powerful, evocative story of information technology in a changing world.