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The Guardian
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Circular Motion by Alex Foster review – what if the world spun faster and faster?
Alex Foster's sparky debut novel is built around a new technology of travel. Pods launch high into the sky and connect with one of thousands of 'circuit vessels', all orbiting the world from east to west. Travellers then descend in another pod, arriving wherever they choose. Spring-loaded pads store the pod's kinetic energy when they land, and propel them up again when they launch. It's so cheap, so rapid and so ubiquitous that everyone uses it. You can work in London, meet a friend for lunch in New York and come back to work that afternoon. The novel's narrator, Tanner Kelly, has grown up in rural Alaska, a backwater without a pod station. He is only too glad to escape, getting a glamorous job in London as personal assistant to scientist Victor Bickle, who works for CWC, the company that runs the network. Bickle's job is selling CWC's services and whitewashing their effects. As the company's booming chief of communications, Cromwell Grant, tells Tanner: 'every CWC customer demands two things. He demands the products and services we provide. And he demands a clean conscience with which to consume them.' The clean conscience is an issue because the pod technology is harming the world, accelerating the Earth's rotation. CWC deny that 'day contraction' has anything to do with pod transportation, but this is a lie. This effect is small-scale at first, days becoming a few minutes shorter, but across the course of the novel we go from days of 23 hours and 45 minutes to days of 22 hours, of 20 hours, of 12 hours, the Earth spinning more and more rapidly. Foster likens it to ants on a floating log. Since every action has an equal and opposite reaction, 1,000 ants all running on top of the log in the same direction will spin the log beneath them. Workdays contract, circadian rhythms are shattered, people take stimulants to stay awake and then sedatives to get any sleep. It is a metaphor for climate change, of course, and a good one: the novel dramatises people's incapacity, or more precisely their unwillingness, to address the problems they are causing the world. Pod travel is so convenient, and it is so important to the economy, to transport and trade, that people will not give it up. Days pass in six hours, rotation becoming so fast that the centrifugal effect counteracts gravity, with the oceans and atmosphere bulging at the equator and the ground in the northern and southern hemispheres starting to slope, turning the world into a surreal funhouse environment. Rather than ban pods, 'the shell' is created, a world-encircling ceiling built on gigantic pillars to keep the air inside and to recycle water through pipes to where it is needed. This isn't very plausible, and requires humanity missing more obvious solutions (since the day contraction is caused by the pods and circuit vessels travelling east to west, couldn't we just reverse their direction of travel and slow the rotation down?). But by this point in the novel realism has been superseded by satire. Rather than dialling down pod transport, the network is hugely expanded. The inside of the shell has adverts projected upon it. A protester explodes a bomb at a CWC event, shouting, ironically, 'revolution!' Days pass in three hours, then two, and the momentum of the story hurtles to its unavoidable catastrophic finale. It is a sharp conceit, and would make for a memorable short story. Foster expands it to novel length by developing his main characters, and dwelling on their relationships. Tanner, working for CWC, is complicit in the global disaster, but he is not consumed by guilt: on the contrary, he loves his job, is glad to have escaped his backwater religious-fundamentalist home, excited by big-city living, falling in love with his dishy co-worker Miguel. As the days shorten and work becomes increasingly exhausting, things sour with Miguel and the story gives us a great deal of to and fro of their breakup: too much, really. A second main character, teenage Winnie Pines, whose father has disappeared and whose mother is in a coma, self-harms by giving herself electric shocks. As the world accelerates, she overcomes her shyness and low self-esteem, gets a job, and her storyline converges with Tanner's. A nuanced and interesting character, Winnie is the work of a writer with real talent. The prose is lively, too: vivid, full of lovely touches, and equally able to describe the large-scale disasters, thunderstorms, earthquakes, end-of-days big-screen doom, and the minutiae of ordinary living. The book isn't flawless. The realness of Winnie throws into relief the two-dimensionality of many of the other characters, and the warping of time makes it hard to be sure what the pacing is. But this is an impressive debut about people struggling on with their lives in a world literally spinning out of control. Sign up to Bookmarks Discover new books and learn more about your favourite authors with our expert reviews, interviews and news stories. Literary delights delivered direct to you after newsletter promotion Circular Motion by Alex Foster is published by Grove (£18.99). To support the Guardian, order your copy at Delivery charges may apply.
Engadget
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Engadget
What to read this weekend: When the world spins out of control
These are some recently released titles we think are worth adding to your reading list. This week, we're diving into Alex Foster's futuristic debut, Circular Motion, and the return of Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees . I'm still chipping away at my summer reading backlog over here, and this week finally made it to Alex Foster's Circular Motion , which came out in May. And, wow, I wasn't quite ready for the emotional journey this one took me on. It's set in a near future — people ride OneWheels and going viral on social media is still a thing some strive for — where the megacompany CWC has created an extreme form of high-speed travel that allows people to zip across the world in no time flat. But, it soon becomes pretty clear that there's a consequence for this. Earth is spinning faster and faster… and faster, and protestors blame CWC and the orbital circuit its travel system relies on. The days grow shorter, the climate events become more extreme and everything is hurtling toward disaster. Circular Motion follows Tanner, a kid from smalltown Alaska who lands a job at CWC, Winnie, a girl who has truly been through it, and Columbia professor Victor Bickle, who shot to viral fame after predicting a public infrastructure catastrophe. They're all connected, as we piece together through multiple POVs. This is a book that very blatantly has something to say about capitalism, climate change and everything in between, and a beautiful exploration of human connection in a crumbling world. $15 at Amazon Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees is a series that genuinely lives up to the hype surrounding it. I'd heard so much praise for it before picking it up, and once I finally did, I was completely on board. The series follows brown bear Samantha Strong, who lives in the cozy Vermont town of Woodbrook in the '80s and happens to be a serial killer. (All of the characters are anthropomorphic animals). But one day, someone else starts killing people around town, making things pretty complicated for Sam. There's an undeniable Dexter feel to it, and I was dying for more after finishing the first six issues. Now — hurray! — it's back with a followup limited series, Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring. Rite of Spring picks up eight years after the events of the previous story, with a duck who is determined to find out what really happened to her missing brother (who we know Sam murdered). A tip on the internet leads her to Woodbrook, and this first issue really leaves you with that "things are about to get interesting" feeling. I'm so excited for the return of this one, and it's off to an expectedly great start. $5 at Amazon
Yahoo
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alex Foster, Baylor Football Player, Dead At 18 After Shooting
Alex Foster, an 18-year-old member of the Baylor University football team, has died after a violent shooting in his hometown. The news was reported on social media by Mississippi-based reporter and Magnolia Shine podcast host Blake Levine. According to ESPN, Foster was from Greenville, Mississippi, and redshirted the 2024 season at Baylor, going through practice this spring. The local police department confirmed they responded to reports of a shooting at 12:11 a.m. Wednesday (May 28) where an unidentified single male victim was found in his car with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital. No arrests have been made, and an investigation is ongoing. Advertisement 'We are heartbroken by the unexpected loss of Alex Foster, a beloved teammate, friend, and a cherished part of the Baylor Family,' relayed Vice President and Director of Athletics Mack B. Rhoades, IV and Head Football Coach Dave Aranda, in a joint statement. 'Our thoughts and prayers are with Alex's family and all those who loved him. In this time of deep sorrow, we draw strength from our faith and the unwavering love of the Baylor community. Our immediate focus is on supporting Alex's family and his teammates through this devastating loss. Alex's memory will forever be a part of Baylor University.' Aranda also made a separate, personal statement on social media. Advertisement 'Alex was a beloved member of our Baylor Family, and we are devastated by this loss. In his time at Baylor, he made a long-lasting impact on all of us in the program. Our hearts are broken, and our prayers are with his family, friends and all those who loved him so deeply.' Sports Illustrated reported Foster was expected to play a role in the two deep on the defensive line this fall. According to CNN, the shooting was part of a 'surge in violent crimes' in the city, where Mayor Errick D. Simmons issued a curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. to stop the 'senseless killings.' 'It's to protect the lives and well-being of every Greenville resident in light of this growing crisis. … we cannot stand by and let violence rip through our neighborhoods. Enough is enough,' he exclaimed. Advertisement VIBE sends our condolences to the family, friends, and teammates of Alex Foster. More from Sign up for Vibe's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Time of India
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Who was Alex Foster? Baylor football star who was found shot dead in car at 18 — mystery deepens as no arrests made
The Baylor football community and the town of Greenville, Mississippi, are grieving the tragic loss of 18-year-old Alex Foster, a promising athlete and beloved teammate who died from multiple gunshot wounds in the early hours of May 28. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Foster, who was back home for summer break, was found inside a car shortly after midnight with life-threatening injuries. Rising star Alex Foster dies after being found with multiple gunshot wounds in Greenville According to the Greenville Police Department, officers responded to a shots-fired call around 12:11 a.m. on East Alexander Street. Upon arrival, they discovered an unresponsive male in a vehicle suffering from several gunshot wounds. Though he was quickly transported to Delta Health Center, he was pronounced dead just over 30 minutes later. While the police did not initially name the victim, multiple reports confirmed the deceased was Alex Foster. The Washington County coroner's office later verified the cause of death as multiple gunshot wounds. No arrests have been made as of this writing, and the investigation remains ongoing. City reacts to rising crime as curfew follows shooting of college football player Greenville Mayor Errick D. Simmons addressed the city's recent surge in violent crime in a Facebook video, announcing the implementation of a citywide curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. in response to the tragedy and other violent incidents. 'We must act to stabilize conditions,' Simmons said, noting that nightclubs and late-night businesses must close by midnight to reduce risk. He condemned the "senseless killings" that have shaken the community. Baylor University , coaches, and former mentors remember Foster fondly Baylor Football confirmed Foster's death with a heartfelt statement from head coach Dave Aranda and athletic director Mack Rhoades. 'We are heartbroken by the unexpected loss of Alex, a beloved teammate, friend, and a cherished part of the Baylor family,' the statement read. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'Alex's memory will forever be part of our hearts and this program.' Coach Aranda added on X, 'We are devastated by this loss. In his time at Baylor he made a long-lasting impact on all of us in the program.' Foster was Baylor's highest-rated recruit in the 2024 class and had redshirted his freshman season. St. Joseph Catholic-Greenville coach John Baker remembered him as 'a good dude, man... real quiet, soft-spoken guy, you know. Had his head on right and was wanting to make it out.' Also Read: The loss of Alex Foster has left a deep void in both his hometown and college communities — a stark reminder of the violence that continues to claim young lives too soon.
Daily Mail
30-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Baylor football player Alex Foster's cause of death revealed
The cause of death for 18-year-old Baylor football player Alex Foster has been revealed after his sudden passing earlier this week. According to the Washington County (Mississippi) coroner's office, Foster died from multiple gunshot wounds after he was found in a car in his hometown. Greenville, Mississippi police confirmed to the Clarion-Ledger that officers responded to a report of multiple shots fired around 12:11am on Wednesday. MORE TO FOLLOW.
