The Broken Land [Paperback]

Ian McDonald (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1992

In the distant future, the peace between two rival religions in a tranquil, self-sufficient city is shattered by revelations that rebel soldiers are hiding in the confines of the city. By the author of Desolation Road.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Mathembe Fileli and her family enjoy a nearly perfect existence in their native village of Chepsenyt, where her father raises trux, live organisms resembling trucks and used in heavy construction work, and her mother spins clothing, food and tools from basic DNA. Even Confessors and Proclaimersp. 8 , members of the town's two opposing religions, manage to live side by side; but when the town hides two Warriors of Destiny--guerilla fighters who oppose the Emperor Across the River--it is destroyed in a firestorm organized by the Emperor's soldiers. Mathembe, her family and the rest of the villagers are forced to flee. When her father is taken as a political prisoner, Mathembe realizes that she cannot turn for protection to her parents--or to her grandfather's decapitated-but-still-living head. From her shaky beginnings as a street vendor, she learns to rely upon herself in order to survive, and embarks on a painful journey to adulthood. Mathembe's world is a captivating one with its rampant biotechnology and passionate characters. But McDonald ( King of Morning, Queen of Day ), a lifelong resident of Belfast, also succeeds in presenting the religious and national conflict of an Ireland that still knows no respite from bloodshed.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

When the religious and political differences that divide the Confessors from the Proclaimers bring destruction to the village of Chepsenyt, a young Confessor woman begins a pilgrimage in search of healing for a land broken in spirit. Mathembe Fileli is a complex heroine, both victim and master of her destiny. Belfast resident McDonald ( King of Morning, Queen of Day , LJ 6/15/91; Desolation Road , LJ 2/15/88) transforms real-world politics into a rare and disturbing allegory that combines futuristic images with timeless conflict. This superb novel by one of today's most challenging visionaries deserves a place in every library.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Spectra; First Edition edition (September 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553370545
• ISBN-13: 978-0553370546
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #680,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my favorite re-reads-, July 7, 2006

By 

JFFarr (Northeast, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Broken Land (Paperback)

Fast moving reflection of personal courage and rising to meet one's life challenge. Main character's reactions to life's events are inspirational. You will immediately be drawn into this well fleshed out world/society, become attached to the characters and hope for a continuation of this story.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating., August 15, 2000

By 

N Boren (Edmond, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Broken Land (Paperback)

McDonald swept me away with his unique view of organicals amidst a futuristic world of modern day conflicts. I fell in love with Methembe, the lead character, from the beginning and the undertones of spirituality kept this novel alive. I highly recommend to anyone interested in a hard sci-fi novel.

4 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Woo-hoo, organicals and diaspora, June 21, 2000

By 

"sloss" - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Broken Land (Paperback)

Personally, I find this to be one of Ian McDonald's better books. I've always been a fan of organic technology in sci-fi so I am always pleased to see a book that uses it. Unfortunately, his use of organicals tends to mirror typical sci-fi technology a little too closely. McDonald usually includes some sort of discussion of spirituality (thankfully not overdone). In this work, he does a great job of weaving this theme in amongst a tale of diaspora in a nation torn with religous conflict. While the setting's technology can get a little cheesy at times, the political backdrop makes for a truly interesting tale. Over all, the author's writing in this book is very good. I am a very critical grader, and so even though I enjoyed many parts of this book, the overall literary quality makes me tend to rate this one at a three (it would take an astonding masterpiece of literature that happened to appeal to me personally to get a five). I would most certainly recommend this book to any sci-fi fan.