books 2005: Shadow's End, by Sheri S. Tepper

[supercheesegirl]

Hey, I read something that wasn't written by Neil Gaiman!

I really liked this book at first. Really really liked it. Then, as I got further in and started finding things out about the mysteries in the story, I started liking it less, and then getting confused, and then liking it even less. The author created this interesting future and all these interesting planets and cultures, but it was all just an excuse to deliver a sermon on wildlife conservation. I was okay with the story right up until Saluez gave birth, I think; after that, we lose the horror and the wonder about what these Ularian things are, and then the rottens and shaggies disappear and we get a giant cow lecturing. I felt cheated. Not just cheated story-wise, but also cheated because I spent a good portion of my day yesterday immersed in this book, and there were better things I could be doing, I think. I would definitely try another book by this writer, though. And I'm glad Sara(h) lent this to me.

Comments

[sarahpender.livejournal.com]

I've seen this sort of response to Tepper before, which made me a little leery of trying any of her stories.

On the other hand, a "giant cow lecturing" sounds kind of amusing... in a cartoon.

[indigoruadh.livejournal.com]

I read Plague of Angels by Tepper many years ago. I had a similar reaction. I loved the world she created but then she did some weird things including an ending that pretty much went, "Now I know you are thinking that I did something really cool with the plot here because I dropped all these hints about cyborgs and whatnot. Well, I didn't go with that cool ending. I went with the stupid depressing ending. Just cause."

[lydian.livejournal.com]

Yeah. That sums it up pretty well. I really like some of her earlier work, but at some point in the early 90s she got really preachy. I think you might enjoy BEAUTY, GATE TO WOMEN'S COUNTRY and possibly GRASS, all of which I can pass along if you decide to give her another go at some point.

[supercheesegirl.livejournal.com]

I've heard good things about Beauty, so I've had it on my wishlist for a while. I would totally borrow that from you. You're coming to the cookie party, right? We can trade Tepper books then. :)