Eifelheim: Magnificent SF combining science, history, and historical fiction

Eifelheim by Michael Flynn

Eifelheim is one of those transcendent science fiction stories where an author is able to treat very human and Earth-bound issues with a well-reasoned and fascinating gloss of aliens and science. Author Michael Flynn‘s alien mythos and capabilities are believable and seamlessly integrated into the very real history of plague-era Germany.

I picked up Eifelheim because I love a good story of first contact. I find myself continually drawn to the classics in this science fiction genre, but also the classic tales of first contact of the very terrestrial kind: human exploration and discovery. Both Hernán Cortés and his first Aztec meetings as well as Pizarro and the Incas hold special fascination for me, as do much of that era’s tribal first contact with “civilizations.”

The core of Eifelheim revolves around a Middle Ages Catholic priest who manages a church in the high forests of Germany. This quiet little fairy tale village, Oberhochwald, is literally shaken at its roots following a freakishly strong and sudden storm. Much more than a storm, an alien ship has crash-landed and Father Dietrich is thrust to the forefront of this tale of first contact.

In parallel, two modern-day scientists — a historian and physicist — independently come across clues that slowly reveal why this village, over time, not only changed its name to Eifelheim, but also completely disappeared from the historical map. Flynn does a masterful job combining the root Middle Ages story with the all-too-brief and tantalizing modern day vignettes. In combination, they build a compelling mystery with well-rounded and emotive characters (both human and alien).

Another reason I read this story was due to a recommendation I’d found upon finishing Connie Willis’ Doomsday Book… a terrific time travel/historical fiction tale also based in plague-era Europe. The books are very similar in their structure of parallel stories that bounce between medieval-specific storylines and modern plot and interactions that drive the overall narrative.

The aliens in Germany are unable to easily manufacture the components required to fix their ship and return home, and with the help of a translating mechanism, the foreigners and country-folk find an uneasy peace in their co-habitation.

The heart of Flynn’s book is really about discovery and the very human and relatable interactions between these beings from very different worlds and different societies. The aliens aren’t just different biologically (they look like giant grasshoppers) and technologically, but they exist with an imbued sense of community and an innately bred need to live within a very structured societal existence.

As the historian delves deeper into the mystery of the missing village, he discovers the myth and legend behind Eifelheim. And this is where the story shines. Flynn builds a wonderful world out of this Middle Ages town and the odd circumstances of its disappearance. Father Dietrich develops the initial and most poignant relationships with the aliens who come to be known as the Krenken and over time takes full advantage to turn these beings into new parishioners.

The Krenken are introduced to Christ as the “lord of the stars” whom the people expect to return soon to save humanity. The Krenken see in this man-above-men as their own savior … an individual who may be able to rescue them from Earth and help them return home. Numerous times Flynn writes of the conflict between the figurative and literal that is often taken for granted. But when placed in a first contact context, these become all too obviously intrusive and confusing.

The Krenken see a strong sense of individualism in the humans … something that doesn’t exist amongst themselves. And over several months a few of the aliens “go native” and seek opportunities to further blend in with the Oberhochwald community.

I fear exposing too much of this wonderful story that is best read by unwrapping each layer after satisfying layer. Flynn marvelously reveals the inner character of humans and aliens alike while immersing the reader in the existence of life during Middle Ages Europe. The book touches on evolutionary theory, the age of religious and scientific enlightenment, and the thinking that propelled the world out of the dark ages and into the brightness of the renaissance.

Eifelheim is scientific and science fiction. It’s also history and historical fiction. And while doing all of these things very well, the book is character-driven and implemented so well by Flynn that it crosses the boundaries of traditional categorization.