Table of Contents
TL;DR
In Ascension by Martin MacInnes, longlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize, is a sweeping literary sci-fi novel that blends deep-sea exploration with a journey to the stars. Told through the introspective voice of Leigh, a scientist pulled into a mysterious international project, the book explores family, memory, and the search for transcendence. While many readers have praised its poetic style and ambitious scope, I found it let down by uneven execution and frustrating inconsistencies in characterisation and plotting.
MacInnes’ prose is often lyrical, and the themes profound, but the lack of narrative cohesion and some clumsy exposition held me back from fully engaging. If you enjoy speculative fiction with a literary bent – particularly works that challenge rather than entertain – In Ascension may still resonate. For fans of Solaris rather than Dark Matter or Seveneves.
First Thoughts
I’m a fan of near-future speculative fiction when the world-building is consistent and coherent – even when it’s wildly imaginative. I bought In Ascension as a gift for my partner, whose marine policy work matched the book’s premise. She loved it. But when I finally picked it up, I was left underwhelmed.
Despite some beautifully written sections, I was repeatedly thrown off by editorial issues – plot holes, inconsistent character behaviour, and awkward exposition. The story veers from oceanographic research to deep-space travel, but the leaps in logic didn’t work for me. A top-tier lawyer living in Jakarta struggles with heat in another tropical city. A supposedly windowless vessel lets in starlight. A key job opportunity is somehow both “top secret” and “the opportunity of a lifetime”. These and other contradictions stopped me fully suspending disbelief.
The book explores family relationships and childhood trauma with some moving scenes – at points, it reminded me of Graham Swift’s Waterland. But ultimately, the narrative asked too much of me without laying the groundwork. I know I’m in the minority here, as many have found In Ascension bold and brilliant. For me, it was a strong concept let down by weak follow-through.
About the Book
In Ascension begins in Rotterdam, where marine biologist Leigh lives with memories of a complex and sometimes painful family life. Her work in ocean trench exploration places her at the edge of known scientific discovery – and then further still, as she’s swept into a clandestine international mission that defies her expectations and possibly reality itself. The novel slowly shifts from deep-sea to outer space, exploring humanity’s place in the universe through Leigh’s inner journey.
Martin MacInnes, a Scottish writer known for his genre-blurring literary fiction, is the author of Infinite Ground and Gathering Evidence. With In Ascension, he landed a spot on the 2023 Booker Prize longlist and was widely reviewed across the UK literary press. MacInnes has been praised for his lyrical prose, ambitious ideas, and philosophical undercurrents, though his works often divide readers.
The novel sits at the intersection of eco-fiction, speculative science, and literary introspection. It’s deeply embedded in scientific process but stretches into the abstract and metaphysical. Its slow pace and quiet voice ask for patience and close attention, making it more aligned with introspective literary fiction than conventional sci-fi.
What Others Think
Reviews highlight the novel’s ambitious thematic scope and its fusion of ecological and existential inquiries. According to The Guardian, the book uniquely connects the mysteries of the deep sea to broader cosmic questions, exploring humanity’s perpetual quest for understanding in both personal and universal contexts.
The review on Lonesome Reader praises MacInnes for tackling bold themes and pushing genre boundaries. It notes the narrative’s poetic qualities and ecological insights, while also acknowledging potential reader frustrations due to its abstract nature and unconventional structure.
The Fiction Fox similarly appreciates the novel’s expansive literary ambition and thoughtful engagement with ecological and philosophical ideas, but raises concerns about its uneven pacing and emotional resonance, suggesting some readers may find it intellectually stimulating yet emotionally distant.
Collectively, these perspectives underscore that while In Ascension is admired for its philosophical depth and literary beauty, its structure and narrative approach divide opinion, much like Orbital, published the following year.
Themes, Style & Impact
At its core, In Ascension examines the interplay between humanity and the unknown, using Leigh’s exploration of the ocean and space as metaphors for introspection and existential questioning. The narrative frequently juxtaposes personal memory with cosmic discovery, highlighting the fragile balance between individual lives and universal mysteries.
MacInnes employs a highly reflective, descriptive writing style, often preferring to explain rather than illustrate through action. This approach creates a meditative reading experience, appealing to readers who enjoy contemplative literary fiction but potentially frustrating those who expect a tightly structured, action-driven plot. Comparisons to Graham Swift’s reflective narratives and the philosophical depth of Stanisław Lem’s Solaris are apt, positioning MacInnes firmly within a tradition of speculative fiction that prioritises philosophical depth over narrative clarity.
The novel’s lasting impact resides in its ability to provoke thought and introspection, though its deliberate ambiguity and narrative looseness may limit its appeal.
Final Thoughts
My experience with In Ascension was one of admiration mixed with frustration. Its themes are intriguing and its prose often beautiful, yet the inconsistencies and narrative gaps prevented full immersion. While clearly resonant with readers who prefer literary speculation over conventional sci-fi storytelling, it might disappoint those looking for narrative coherence.
As part of my Booker Prize reading journey, it stands as an ambitious yet ultimately flawed exploration of humanity’s search for meaning in the natural world and beyond. It’s a book I respect for its ambition but struggle to recommend without caveats.
Further Reading
- Solaris by Stanisław Lem – A philosophical exploration of human interaction with the unknown.
- Seveneves by Neal Stephenson – A rigorously imagined near-future epic exploring survival in space.
- Dark Matter by Blake Crouch – A gripping exploration of parallel universes and identity.
- The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett & Stephen Baxter – Speculative fiction exploring the concept of infinite parallel worlds.
- Waterland by Graham Swift – A reflective novel exploring memory, history, and personal relationships.