Fournaise

Fournaise is a gripping and imaginative science fiction novel set on the planet of Morobe's Pois, which has been renamed Walden by its new owner who wants to establish a utopian colony based on Henry David Thoreau's principles of voluntary simplicity. However, the indigenous Pukpuks are not willing to adapt to this new way of life and revolt, transforming themselves into suicide bombers amidst newly planted forests. Prosper Grégoire Leung, or Spur, is tasked with extinguishing these fires and has just barely escaped one such inferno.

The novel explores the possibility of living in harmony with nature on Walden, as well as themes of colonization, cultural conflict, and personal transformation. Fournaise was awarded the prestigious Nebula Prize in 2007 and is a testament to author James Patrick Kelly's talent for crafting compelling and thought-provoking stories.