Téranésie

Teranesia is a 1999 science fiction novel by Greg Egan. The novel follows protagonist Prabir Suresh, who lives on an island in the South Moluccas with his biologist parents, who are investigating the unique evolutionary traits of butterflies on the island. As civil war erupts in Indonesia, Prabir and his baby sister Madhusree must escape the islands. When they grow up, Madhusree becomes a biology student, motivated to carry on her parents' legacy in uncovering the evolutionary phenomenon. Prabir reluctantly follows her, as he must navigate and confront the truth that shaped his past. The novel encircles notions of sexuality and free will. Where Egan is regarded as a hard science fiction author, Teranesia stands out as one of his few character driven novels. Egan's personal interest in migration politics permeates through Teranesia, as he explores the migration experience of Prabir and Madhusree as they seek asylum in Canada. Teranesia received critical acclaim, as well as award nominations and wins. The novel won the 2000 Ditmar Award for Best Novel but Egan declined to accept the award.