Evans is in trouble. Once a star of punk discontent, a few wrong turns and a stint in a mental institution find him on the streets and desperate for work. Then there’s the savage underground movement that uses Evan’s masterpiece, The Pollutant Speaks, as a bible. They despise him for denouncing them and hate the alien superculture that’s set impossible goals to qualify for contact. Find a job or be beaten to death in the ghetto of an overcrowded planet: those are his choices. His only escape is to venture further into the cosmos than he ever dreamed. This stunning debut science fiction novel by Alex Cochran explores poetry, politics and law in a way that asks questions about our society today. Literate, adventurous and compelling. Hugo nominated, BSFA longlisted and Nebula nominated for Best Novel 2024.