Customer Reviews

Beyond the Gates

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

One the best SF books I have read recently. The characters are multi-dimensional and their motives change as circumstances change. Every character had an interesting personality. Most SF characters are very one dimensional (ie. good guy, bad guy, greedy, altruistic, etc.) Well's blended these and other traits to make very realistic characters. The plot was interesting with a surprise twist ending that I liked a lot. The theocracy was a bit too unrealistic for me but worked in the context of the story. Finally the sex was not nearly as gratuitous as the author likes to make it out to be. The sex scenes fit in very well with the story and seemed appropriate.

When I found this book in my local bookstore I was delighted. Islam in space, intriguing indeed. Now the story is not exactly brimming with technology, which actually makes this a believable story in many ways. The humans of Dray's World are Nouveau Moslems of a variety that see men and women as equals in every way. The women are strong and independent and I think that's the best with this story.

However. I read this book with an initial joy that slowly turned into disappointment. The Islam portrayed in the story is an Islam interested in the pursuit of knowledge, tolerance and equality. The fact that the leaders of this culture has lied to their own people is not what bothers me, leaders always seem to have something to keep away from the prying eyes of their subjects. What bothers me is that an equal and tolerant society still practice execution of dissidents. If anyone questions the religion they can be killed by people throwing stones at them. That seems odd to me. I am not naive enough not to realize that this is the prerogative of the writer to create the society of her choosing. But to brush past this fact that unbelievers and dissidents are not part of the tolerance of the Innantan society seems disturbing to me. Whenever a religious order create a closed society to practice their beliefs anyone who follows them into seclusion are accepting the rules of the group. Their children are the ones who rebel. I read somewhere that the Puritans of New England were disturbed by the fact that so few of those born in New England measured up to the standards of the Puritan faith. Where are the dissidents of Innanta?

The second problem I have with this book is that in a society that favors sexual freedom in the way that Marta practice also executes homosexuals. I think that a culture that has an easy attitude towards womens sexual rights usually also are easy on homosexuality as well.

What a kick! Wells takes a typical SF plot--the mysterious life form and the scientists who try to figure out what it is and how it got there--and blends it nicely with ``the backwater planet held back by a religious theocracy'' theme--and brews up something fresh and spicey.

Marta, the randy, feisty heroine (aka ``the little predator'') herds two glory-crazed, funding-obsessed scientists around the planet. The plot twists and turns nicely, and she becomes the stuff legends are made of, as we see from the clever framing device--the text is woven around a tale told by caravan leader to his child at some time in the future. Increasingly the text itself diverges from the Arabian nights tale the nomad tells, and that only adds to the fun.

Seems as if there's going to be a thousand and third night, too. But this one's more than enough for now.

Witty dialogue and repartee.

Interesting settings, both psychological and physical. And in the end justice is served, but not before the injustice takes it's emotional toll.

Bear with the subplot, the surprise ending makes it well worth it.

I really thought the subplot made the book. It gives a great view of how religion and myth combine and change the way history is viewed. It took me awhile to get into the story but then I was hooked...I even took it to work to finish it.

this book surprised me, i never read catherine wells before but took a chance,im so glad i did,it is an exciting adventure story,filled with mystery,suspense and great science and great characters with thier different personalities and flaws,i felt like i was right there with them the whole time,its so good i just bought her previous book-mother grimm,and cant wait for the sequel to this one, Buy this book ,you wont regret it.

If the level of your sophistication about relationships, science fiction, or science is on a par with that of an eighth grade girl imprisoned in her hormone storm, you might enjoy this book. Otherwise, don't bother. Ms. Wells writes poorly, and understands little about anything she presumes to write about, except, perhaps, shallow sex.

I've read all of Catherine's books and have enjoyed all of them!