Kvirran

Kvirran is a fictional planet featured in the science fiction novel "The Quantum Thief" by Hannu Rajaniemi. The planet is depicted as a major hub within the Oubliette, a vast and complex interstellar civilization. Kvirran is characterized by its advanced technology and a society that embraces a unique cultural and biological evolution. It is home to the boil, a bio-engineered life form that serves as a primary source of information and communication for its inhabitants. The boil is essentially a living archive, capable of storing and transmitting vast amounts of data through complex biological processes.

The society on Kvirran is portrayed as highly integrated with its technology, with individuals often undergoing significant modifications to enhance their capabilities and lifespan. This integration extends to their understanding of consciousness and identity, which are explored through the novel's narrative. Kvirran's political and social structures are intricate, reflecting a long history of adaptation and advancement. The planet serves as a significant setting for the novel's protagonist, Jean le Flambeur, who has a complex relationship with its inhabitants and its unique technological ecosystem. The descriptions of Kvirran emphasize its alienness and the sophisticated, often unsettling, nature of its civilization.