Adrian Tchaikovsky, a prolific author blending science fiction and fantasy, has captivated readers with his richly imagined alien lifeforms. From the accelerated evolution of spiders in Children of Time to the aggressive intelligence of mantis shrimp in the upcoming Children of Strife, Tchaikovsky’s work stands out for its rigorous attention to biological plausibility and thought-provoking exploration of non-human sentience. In a recent conversation, he discussed his creative process, influences, and the deeper meaning behind his alien worlds.
From Zoology to Speculative Fiction
Tchaikovsky’s background in zoology initially steered him away from invertebrate studies – a gap he later filled through independent research. He recalls university curricula focusing on “how to kill insects” rather than their complex behaviors, a stark contrast to the nuanced alien ecosystems he would later create. He credits his early interest in role-playing games with honing his world-building skills, allowing him to seamlessly transition into speculative fiction after years of writing fantasy. His breakout success with Children of Time was accidental; initially conceived as a standalone novel, it exploded in popularity after an Arthur C. Clarke Award nomination, shifting his career trajectory.
The Science Behind the Creatures
Tchaikovsky’s approach is grounded in real-world biology. He doesn’t invent aliens arbitrarily; he begins with existing species and extrapolates their evolutionary potential. Children of Time stemmed from research on spider behavior, particularly the work of Fiona Cross, which revealed their surprising complexity despite limited neural capacity. The mantis shrimp in Children of Strife were chosen for their aggressive, colony-based social dynamics – a driver for intelligence he finds compelling.
“I’m looking at it and thinking about, what is it? What has it got going on at the moment? What are the evolutionary pressures on it that might lead it to become more intelligent?” Tchaikovsky explains.
The Challenge of Alien Minds
Translating alien biology into compelling narratives isn’t always easy. Tchaikovsky admits that octopuses, with their vastly different neurology, were more challenging to portray than mantis shrimp. He spent months immersed in Roy L. Caldwell’s decades-long research on mantis shrimp, extracting the nuances of their behavior and communication. A key element is capturing their physical expression; Tchaikovsky points to mantis shrimp body language as being readily adaptable to complex emotional displays.
“With the mantis shrimps, I had to delve into physics a bit because of the way their eyes work. There is a particular type of polarized light that they can see and nothing else can see, which I felt I had to work into the book.”
The Dark Side of Terraforming
The Children of Time series explores the grim realities of humanity’s desperate search for habitable planets. Children of Strife dives darker, introducing a ruthless terraformer who manipulates evolution for personal gain. This villain, Tchaikovsky jokes, is inspired by “the sort of people who are calling the shots in the world today.” The series doesn’t shy away from the ethical implications of playing god with alien life.
Beyond Human-Centric Design
Tchaikovsky’s aliens are never merely humans with cosmetic alterations. He avoids the cliché of “human with an alien head,” instead prioritizing genuine biological divergence. He extends this philosophy to his space opera work, insisting on believable alien designs even in fantastical settings.
“If we find alien life that has evolved independently of Earth life, it is going to be more alien to us than the most alien thing we can think of on Earth.”
Time, Empathy, and the Future
The vast timescales in the Children of Time series challenge conventional narrative structures, forcing Tchaikovsky to abandon rigid plot deadlines. The books also champion empathy, a quality he sees as increasingly endangered in a world leaning toward selfishness. He describes his work as a “minuscule” pushback against this trend, envisioning a future where diverse species coexist peacefully.
“Empathy is, and has increasingly become, in the years since the first book was published, an extremely valuable and endangered commodity in the world.”
Tchaikovsky’s work ultimately serves as a reminder that evolution is not a directed process, and alien life will likely be far stranger and more unpredictable than anything we can imagine. The series, while potentially open-ended, continues to explore the possibilities of existence beyond human comprehension.
