The Sunrise
How do you usually spend your travelling time? Do you spend your time surfing the net with your phone or gazing out the window while listening to music? Reading fiction may be another option for killing boredom while commuting every day. With the popularisation of pocketbooks starting in the 1930s, reading has become a haven for many from the stress of work.
In Victoria Hislop’s The Sunrise, readers are taken to one of the least populated places in the world—Famagusta in Cyprus. Famagusta was once a famous holiday destination for the rich, as it was where glamorous resorts were built near the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean with a large bed of golden sand. In Famagusta, Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots lived in different parts of the city. While the Greek Cypriots led their luxurious lives near the heart of the city, the Turkish Cypriots led a more secluded life in the walled area where the arts and culture soared. Aphrodite and her husband, Savvas, longed for the beauty of Famagusta and built a state-of-the-art hotel, The Sunrise, in the heart of the city. The wealthiest Europeans all fled to Famagusta to have a taste of this hotel. The Sunrise soon became a wild success and the newest icon of the city. While Aphrodite and Savvas were immersed in the joy of their success, tension was slowly building up between the Greek and Turkish Cypriots.
In 1974, the Greeks attacked the Turkish Cypriots in Famagusta. Millions hastened to leave the city in fright. Visitors hurried to ports and the airport in the hope of leaving the city as soon as possible, while inhabitants fled to take refuge in nearby refugee camps. The only ones left behind were two staff members of The Sunrise and their families. While the Ozkans were Turkish Cypriots, the Georgious were Greek Cypriots. With hatred in their hearts, the Ozkans and Georgious fought to survive in the deserted hotel. In the light of danger, will hatred and prejudice win over the will to survive or will teamwork and respect take them to safety?
Jelly Cheung |
《三體》
科幻小說《三體》分為三個部分。故事一開始講述人類向太空發送訊號，以期與可能存在的「外星文明」聯繫。該等訊號被距離地球四光年的「三體文明」截獲，引發了「三體文明」侵略地球以實行宇宙移民計劃。
小說在科幻層面的描述固然精彩，但最使我入迷的，卻是第二部描寫人類社會因應「三體危機」作出的反應。故事提到「三體文明」的太空艦隊已經出發，並會於450年後到達地球。它同時利用高科技在太陽系布滿監察系統。國際社會雖已啓動主流防禦計劃，但整項計劃無論是總體戰略思想，還是最微小的技術和軍事細節，都統統暴露於敵人的視野範圍內。人類與人類之間任何形式的交流都會導致泄密。
面對如此空前危機，聯合國啓動了「面壁計劃」應對。聯合國委任四位「面壁者」，授權他們調動地球上大量資源以實行各自的戰略。為免被「三體文明」洞悉意圖，他們基本上不受監督（危害他人生命等少數情況除外），亦不用解釋行動及計劃。四位「面壁者」各行其是，計劃亦五花八門：組織敢死隊、全力製造核彈、提升人類智力，甚至耽於逸樂、不務正業。究竟這些計劃隱藏了什麼戰略意圖？人類又能否安然渡過「三體危機」？所有問題有待大家閱讀小說後自行解答。
值得一提的是，小說中有兩位「面壁者」的計劃，以及當中一些相關事件（例如逃離太陽系的飛船互相攻擊），是我們現實生活中「囚徒困境」的寫照。舉例說，兩名被分開囚禁的犯人都可作以下選擇：
1. 若A指證B而B保持沉默，A將即時獲釋，B則判監十年；
2. 若A和B都保持沉默，則兩人同時判監一年；或
3. 若A和B互相檢舉，則兩人同時判監五年。
在這種情境下，互相檢舉的總代價明顯比保持沉默大，但基於猜疑對方會背叛自己，檢舉對方是更加理性的選擇。事實上，我們個人甚或整個社會都經常陷入「囚徒困境」而不自覺。假如沒有「外星文明」監察系統妨礙，破解「囚徒困境」的最有效辦法，相信是開誠布公地溝通，並建立互信。
黃漢祥
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