Whether in Kira's struggle with the Soft Blade, the Wranaui and their reliance on replacement bodies, or the mad ramblings of fan favorite character Gregorovich, "To Sleep in a Sea of Stars" is a novel centered around ontology, particularly in its treatment of one's connection to the physical form.
Contractions: A Story
Clara slipped her feet into the stirrups, knees spread. Naked from the waist down, she felt the chill of the sterile room beneath the thin gown as the technologist handed her the wand, properly lubricated, and told her to guide it between her legs. The silent vision appeared, and out of the darkness materialized the uproar of the womb.