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I Enjoy the More ‘Ornery’ Characters
Suppose We follow the crew of a spaceship that crashes on an alien planet where the natives are so technologically advanced that humans are ignored, and they must find a way to get their attention and help. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
It seemed to me that the joy and passion of discovery in science fiction had gone for the last few years. I was commissioned by the publisher to write a series of novellas based on the exploration of space, discovering new planets and their inhabitants. In addition, I’ve lived a vegan lifestyle for half a century and finally wanted to incorporate some of that into a new planet’s ecosystem.
What character did you enjoy writing for? Was there one that was more challenging to write for?
The main character in Suppose We is the scientist Gaston and readers have told me he is really me! Even so, I enjoy the more ‘ornery’ characters and particularly enjoyed writing Commander Penn who is an intransigent, difficult, arrogant and reckless person and a carnivore to boot!
More challenging are the inhabitants of the planet. Aliens to us humans and while their technology and science are way in advance of us they still have emotions and likes even though different than ours. I like my ‘aliens’ to be really alien rather than weird-looking yet English-speaking octopi drinking in a bar!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
A major theme is the interaction between the advanced inhabitants and the rather clumsy humans. I needed to work on such relationships knowing that when we eventually make ‘First Contact’ with an alien species it will be very different from those often portrayed in books and movies.
Where does the story go in the next book, and where do you see it going in the future?
The sequel is Falling Up, which relates to strange gravity anomalies on the Kepler-20h planet. In the first book a genetically-modified bacteria of human and Keplerian origins is released to solve a nasty-bacteria problem on the planet. The solution, dubbed Keeps, get out of control and some of the natives form a Purist movement to rid their system of humans and their Keeps.
Other alien forms in the vicinity of the planet have their own agender and the son of Gaston and Em has Keplerian genes too making for an interesting development in Kepler’s Son.
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Bringing back a sense of discovery and wonder to science fiction.
“I’ve always found Geoff’s work both inspirational and brilliant. I know that whenever I pick up one of his works I’m in for a damned good read. For those who’ve never read any of his works before, welcome to the Geoff Nelder club.”
—Mark Iles, author of THE DARKENING STARS series.
Jon Courtenay Grimwood: FELAHEEN, PASHAZADE AND END OF THE WORLD BLUES – “Geoff Nelder inhabits science fiction just as other people inhabit their clothes.”
If you liked Tuf Voyaging by George R.R. Martin, and Anne MccAffrey’s Dinosaur Planet you’ll like SUPPOSE WE.
Suppose We
In Suppose We, Geoff Nelder takes readers on a journey into the distant reaches of the Milky Way, centering around a crew of astronauts traveling to the Kepler-20h planetary system. The novel opens with Gaston Poirer, the ship’s somewhat quirky and philosophical crew member, waking from hibernation aboard the spaceship Suppose We. Their mission is to reach this newly discovered planet in hopes of establishing humanity’s future home. Things get interesting when mysterious objects start to follow them, making the crew question their safety and the intentions of potential alien life. Nelder brings readers a vivid and unpredictable space adventure that is filled with moments of tension, humor, and introspection.
What immediately grabbed my attention was the intriguing blend of humor and existential uncertainty that Nelder weaves throughout the book. The characters, especially Gaston, have a grounded, almost absurd quality that keeps the story from feeling too far removed from reality, despite the interstellar setting. Gaston’s French quirks, like his casual philosophizing even when facing life-threatening situations, added a lightness that I appreciated.
The tension between the characters also stands out, with Commander Penn’s brashness clashing with Gaston’s more measured and reflective approach. Their interactions feel real and are often amusing, particularly when Gaston is criticized for thinking like a philosopher instead of a survivor. The dialogue between the characters is lively, and I enjoyed the sporadic use of French, which added a unique flavor to their interactions.
One of my favorite elements of the book is how the AI communicates. Its quirky diary-like entries had me laughing every time, especially the way it humorously changes how it signs its name, from “Suppose We” to “Captain CAN?”—an example of the clever humor that permeates the novel. Another character, Penn, also stood out for his comedic charm, particularly when he indignantly suggests throwing himself on the alien “clicks” in a surprise attack after being ignored. Moments like these elevate the book’s lighter tone and add to its overall appeal.
Suppose We is a fascinating mix of sci-fi, humor, and philosophical musings. Geoff Nelder takes a fresh approach to the genre by blending human quirks with space exploration, giving us characters that feel authentic despite their extreme circumstances. The novel shines in its depiction of alien worlds and the personal tensions among the crew. I would recommend this book to readers who enjoy thoughtful, character-driven science fiction with a side of dry humor.
Pages: 184 | ASIN : B07RQW5LHR
LITERARY TITAN 