Customer Reviews

Cyteen

5 star:		(46)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

Cyteen. To me, the word just sounds evil. I don't know why, perhaps it's the way the syllables run together. All I know is that everytime I saw the word spoken in Cherryh's other great SF novel, Downbelow Station, I couldn't help but shudder. Perhaps it's was the coldness of the people there, or the whispered way everyone spoke about the planet, or the ranks of faceless soldiers, all the same.

And now about this diverse world comes Cyteen, the novel. What a novel it is, close to seven hundred pages, and Cherryh used every single page to tell this story of young friends trapped in a world of security constantly watching over their shoulder. This book reeked paranoia in a way that would make Thomas Pynchon proud. Friends and enemies all meld together in this novel and you can never tell which is which.

Cherryh does a great job detailing the planet Cyteen and the society that grows up on it. The people and culture are as diverse as (dare I say it?) Frank Herbert's Dune. You get a feel for the government and the politics that surround everyday life, the behind the scenes stuff regular people don't know about.

But that's not it. Cherryh also gives us arguments on the different between the born men and the azi, the genetically created people, weaving these threads into an already idea packed story.

Nothing Cherryh has written before or since can come even close to this book. The only two I can think of are Downbelow Station or maybe even Forty Thousand in Gehenna (which ties into this novel). It's a landmark of science-fiction and should be read by any who consider themselves a fan

When I first read this fat, extraordinary novel a decade ago, I concluded it was one of the best science fiction novels produced in (at least) the past half-century, and, having now re-read it, I still believe that. It's set in Cherryh's Merchanter universe (a couple of generations after the concluding war, the story of which she told in Downbelow Station), but that's really only the distant backdrop. (You'll also find here the back-story to Forty Thousand in Gehenna.) This is a very detailed, very in-depth, very carefully worked-out, very thought-provoking study of power and the claustrophobic effects of its mis-management, of the relationship of "natural born" psychology to manufactured and tailored minds, of the effects on a society of an artificial underclass (the "azi") that is both more and less than chattel slavery, . . . and along with all that, a satisfying and very affecting story of a cold, slightly inhuman genius and the mystery of her death (which was possibly a murder), and the replicate who is intended to replace her -- and who succeeds more completely, perhaps, than her creators ever anticipated. At 680 pages, there are, of course, several other plots moving full-tilt, also filled with detail and nuance, but they all interrelate nearly seamlessly. Her ability to play off one character's collection of concerns against another's is amazing, and she shows a considerable (and very speculative) understanding of the depths of psychological intervention. She's also a master of precise prose . . . when she wants to be. I have never doubted that this book did indeed deserve the Hugo it was awarded. And now I shall put it back on its shelf for another decade.

How do you know that when you wake up in the morning, all your memories and knowledge is yours? How do you know when what people do around you is entirely spontaneous reaction to the world around you? For little Ari, she doesn't and she can't. Otherwise the experiment fails.

Cherryh has done a masterful job in this story to show how a complex concept like cloning can be done. As science breaks through even now with techniques for cloning, it only gives us a body. Cherryh gives one possible method, one that works with the kind of Big Brother future SF tends to hint so strongly at. Take all the records of a person's life. Every tidbit, every mistake, every triumph, and recreate them.

I haven't given this a 10 mostly because while I think this is a superb book, there are a few drawbacks. It's *long*. It covers the entire childhood of a woman. It's not the easiest of reads, which isn't a problem, but makes it difficult to encourage others to read it.

Regardless of which, if you get a chance to read it, do so. It's well worth it.

C. J. Cherryh has been developing her universe of the Alliance/Union empires for quite some time through several books. Most of these are very good action novels with complicated plots and believable characters, but they typically do not have deep themes. Cyteen, however, is the centerpiece of this universe, with great, insightful looks at the ethics and methods of cloning, slavery, identity (what makes you you?), genetics versus environment, the art of politics, and an incredible look at the inner psychology of the gifted, super-intelligent. This book is not an easy read - it requires some effort and thought by the reader to understand the points presented, but the reader will be richly rewarded for his effort.

The prose style is very clipped, almost abbreviated, and does much to give the reader a sense of unstoppable, pell-mell action and high tension, but it does take some getting used to. Especially at the beginning of the book, where Cherryh drops the reader into this very complex and alien world with very little background explanation of the situation, the people, or the world, it is easy for the reader to become lost and confused. But if the reader will persevere, bit by bit he will find an envisioned world constructed in the best traditions of the field, fully as rich and satisfying as Tolkien's Middle Earth or Herbert's Dune, but with dark overtones reminiscent of Huxley's Brave New World and the paranoid mind control of Orwell's 1984.

The plot is a complex intertwining of power politics, intriguing scientific concepts, and the personal life histories of some very dynamic characters caught up in the Byzantine struggles for ultimate control of this world. And it is the characters that truly define and invigorate this story, fully realized, highly believable (a very difficult thing to achieve when these characters are super-geniuses), with real concerns and each with their own set of inner problems. Both the original Ari and the clone of her that we follow through most of the book are exceptional people, a refreshingly strong and different female lead compared to so many of the stereotypes that have littered the field of SF. Justin is also finely drawn, a good counterpoint to Ari, struggling with his own problems of personal identity and self-worth.

I have added only two books to my 'Best of SF' list in the last 15 years. This is one of them. Take the time and effort to read and understand this book and the many ethical/philosophical/psychological points that Cherry brings to the fore in the course of this novel, and you will find your time was well spent.

C.J. Cherryh's Cyteen forecast much of what was debated recently when the successful cloning of a mammal was announced. She deftly weaves a complex, multi-character plot that keeps a reader's interest while at the same time providing psychological and physical action that drags the reader through what is admittedly a long text. Published here in one volume, this award-winning novel is one that has the potential to teach us about our future before our future actually arrives. Where Clarke forecast satellites, Cherryh examines the issues surrounding cloning in clinical detail. She does not shy away from the questions of humanity that arise from cloning a human being. For long-time Cherryh fans, this novel is definitely worth returning to. While her recent books compress the story element, Cyteen roams across decades of time, allowing for a readable mix of psychological and physical action. This book is also an excellent opportunity for readers to see where our real-world biotechnolgy might be taking us.

I have read Cherryh before, but I have to admit I never really got why she had such an impressive reputation before reading Cyteen. After reading Cyteen, my biggest question is why she does not have *more* of a reputation.

Cyteen (a repackaging of three shorter novels set in the Merchanter universe) is a sprawling intergenerational book which is entertaining to read even as it raises important questions about morality and identity. At its center, it features three main characters who are all genetic replicas of other older characters. These three struggle to accept their heritage while at the same time they try to own their own lives in a way that hardly seems possible, given the controlling and invasive atmosphere on Cyteen.

This is my first exposure to any of the books in the Merchanter Universe, and I did not feel as though I were missing any backstory. Cyteen is well able to stand on its own as a novel. Readers should be advised to not waste too much time trying to grasp all the concepts introduced in the first 50 pages at the time that they are introduced. Cherryh dumps an awful lot of ideas into the first few chapters, but they are all explained gradually as the book unfolds.

I would recommend Cyteen for almost any science fiction fan, particularly those who are interested in biotechnology issues. Cyteen should generally safe for teenage readers-- sexual situations (including a rape) are implied, but not made explicit.

This Hugo winner is a remarkable novel; the task of keeping the reader engaged for over 700 pages must be a monumental one, but Cherryh manages it extraordinarily well. It requires an initial investment on the part of the reader -- Cherryh's world is so intricate and thoroughly developed that it takes a while to grasp everything that's going on. Don't expect any light reading here. Do expect a fascinating world, depth of character, and a great deal of insight into humanity on both the macroscopic and personal level. Highly recommended.

I agree that this is a wonderful book. However the word 'Book' does not explain, in any of the reviews, that it is a triad of three previously published books by C.J Cherryh: The Betrayal; The Rebirth; The Vindication. Therefore, its considerable length.

This is the first book I've read from Ms. Cherryh and deeply impacted me.
She creates an astounding backdrop Universe full of intricacies, depicting Humankind's expansion 300 years from now.
In this Universe three human potencies compete for supremacy: Old Earth, Alliance and the Union. The story focuses on what's going on planet Cyteen, the heart of the Union, in the aftermath of the Merchant's War.
The explosive political situation conducts to the murder of Ariane Emory a powerful charismatic state leader. In our days that will mean: end of the question. In Cyteen there is yet another chance: a clone of the murdered personality may be developed. But...will Ary 2 be as brilliant and decisive as her predecessor? Will she survive to adulthood in Cyteen's crushing environment?

The storyline is very interesting with extremely well developed main characters, whose lives are followed for more than twenty years.
The core of the novel however is the description of Cyteen's Universe (as happens with Asimov's "Foundation" or Herbert's "Dune" series). Genetics science is overdeveloped enabling creation of Citizen's replicas and the Azi, bred from human stock but educated thru "tapes" to fulfill specific needs (military, scientific or just plain workforce).
Azi psychology is depicted in detail by Ms. Cherryh and their interaction with "standard" humans is full of complex subtleties.

A thought provoking novel that will be enjoyed by sci-fi fans!
Reviewed by Max Yofre.

Have been reading science fiction for over 20yrs now (wow, how they fly). This book was one of the best and most human stories I have come across. I recommend it to any real sci fi fan. If you find that it's abundance bothers you, simply skim over the political expressiveness of the book, and enjoy everything else it has to offer.

My test for the quality of a book - can I start another one straight away? The longer the period, within which I cannot pick up a new book, the better the one just read. After Cyteen, I will have to wait for quite a while!

And last - is there a sequel?