View source for The Message by Yan Vana

{{infobox
|title=The Message
|sort= Message
|author=Yan Vana
|reviewer= Luke Marlowe
|genre=Science Fiction
|summary= An interesting look at the state of our planet, told through a tale that includes elements of Science Fction and Romance - ''The Message'' is not always an easy read, but it's certaily a worthwhile one - illustrating ideas and theories we may not be familiar with, in a manner that makes them accessible - although some still make for uncomfortable reading
|rating=3.5
|buy=Maybe
|borrow=Yes
|pages=175
|publisher=Falcondale Press
|date=December 2015
|isbn=
|website=https://twitter.com/yanvanaauthor
|video=
|amazonuk=<amazonuk>B019NDIP1A</amazonuk>
|amazonus=<amazonus>B019NDIP1A</amazonus>
}}

The Message follows an official Inquiry into the wanton destruction of a Protected Nature Reserve. The first witnesses give evidence of the extent of the damage and later witnesses identify those responsible. As the inquiry unfolds it becomes apparent that the Nature Reserve is Earth, and that the Inquiry is being undertaken by regulators from other Galaxies who have responsibility for the protection of Reserves throughout the Cosmos. Science Fiction? A love story? A study of human civilisation? A warning message...

The effect that Man has had on this planet is not one that we've been particularly conscious of as a race for a long period of time. Only in recent years have subjects like global warming, and sustainability really been brought to the forefront of the public eye, and have been met with conversation, concern, and confusion. I'm not sure if ''The Message'' will help clear up the confusion, but it will certainly enable conversation going forwards, and it makes complicated ideas accessible, even if some are still rather hard to take in. 

The fate of our planet is not the only plot that runs through this book though - a love story helps break the heaviness of the investigation into Earth, and is moving and tender, yet still serious enough to prove as an interesting counterpart to the main plot. The format of the book is an interesting one too - splitting between journal entries, private messages, and the transcript of the investigation, the contrasting methods keep the book driving along. In fact, I wish the formats were even more distinguishable - I feel this book would perhaps work best as more of an interactive project, with the reader able to read all of the entries and have the plots and ideas gradually reveal themselves, rather than be driving in one direction as is rather inevitable when reading a book. 

All in all, this is a fascinating and clever attempt to address serious issues in a readable manner that will perhaps attract more readers in this manner than it would as a straightforward non-fcition book. It's by no means an easy read, and addresses some issues that I was not familiar with, and am keen to research. Eye opening and interesting, ''The Message'' has a lot to say. Many thanks to the publishers for the copy. 

For further reading I would recommend [[The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber]] - a book with a love story that I was reminded of here, and another book that takes a look at our planet from an outside perspective. 

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