Devolution

The author uses the theme of devolution to demonstrate how humanity's disregard for the environment and other life forms brought about its own ruin. As the population of Earth became increasingly fixated on war, technology, and power, it became disconnected from the natural world. The result was a series of cataclysmic events, and the devolution of humankind – evident in the sudden large scale reproductive failure and the physical appearance of the denizens of CIEL, who are essentially hairless, sexless automatons. In the early days of devolution, when reproduction was still possible, children were born with webbed toes and tails. Joan is untouched by devolution, she retains a working reproductive system and a full head of hair. This is because she is an engenderdine and she has special powers and a unique relationship with the earth.

On CIEL, Jean de Men is trying to regenerate life in...