Remnant Population

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Remnant Population

Cover of first edition (hardcover)
Author Elizabeth Moon
Country United States
Language English
Genre(s) Science fiction novel
Publisher Baen Books
Publication date 1996
Media type Print (Hardcover and Paperback)
Pages 339 pp
ISBN ISBN 0-671-87718-6

Remnant Population is a 1996 science fiction novel by American writer Elizabeth Moon. The story revolves around an old woman who decides to remain behind on a colony world after the company who sent her there pulls out. It was nominated in for the 1997 Hugo Award for Best Novel.

[edit] Plot Summary

Ofelia had lived at Sims Bancorp Colony for most of her life. When the company loses the contract all the inhabitants are told that they have to leave to start a new colony on another world. Ofelia decides that she doesn't want to leave so she hides when the company reps come to collect her. After the colony is empty and the space shuttle is gone Ofelia discovers something new about herself and begins to find peace in her new solitude.

This is soon shattered when another colony lands on the other side of the planet but is destroyed by the primitive inhabitants on the planet that no one knew existed. The primitive inhabitants decide to seek out more humans on the planet and soon find Ofelia. At first Ofelia is afraid of the creatures but soon learns to love them and finds herself in a position as their protector against the human race.