Customer Reviews

Daughter of Elysium

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

 

 

For anyone who has read Joan Slonczewski's "A Door Into Ocean", finding another book by the same author is extremely exciting. The reader, however, is in for a few minor shocks if he/she actually reads this next book. First of all, don't expect a sequel to the sci-fi classic "A Door Into Ocean". Daughter of Elysium takes place long, long, LONG after "A Door Into Ocean". There is a whole new dimension added to the already complex Shora, as a civilization of beings which never grow old has settled on the ocean moon and is coexisting peacefully with the Shorans. If you're wanting more of the Shorans themselves, this book is only sometimes for you -- the text is interwoven with some "ancient" Shoran history, namely what happens after the end of "A Door Into Ocean". On the whole, both the history and the new plots are intriguing and well-written. It's the kind of book that you can't put down -- as much as for its own greatness as for that of the one which came before it. It's a must-read, but don't expect it to be QUITE as dazzling as "A Door Into Ocean"

Following a couple centuries after "A Door into Ocean", "Daughter of Elysium" revisits the planet Shora, home of the ocean-dwelling Sharers and the city-dwelling Elysians. Raincloud Windclan came to Elysium accompanied by her family to help avert a war. Her scientist husband was invited to assist in delving into the secrets of Elysians' longevity and in solving the Elysians' inability to bear children. The technologically superior Elysians live a pleasurable existence surrounded by their robot servants, who are slowly gaining sentience despite various precautions. In this epic sci fi tale, various threads entwine and produce a glorious and compelling exploration into compassion and humanity that fascinates as it entertains. Slonczewski deftly portrays the complex nuances of the bevy of characters, leading readers to explore their own human natures and giving us much to ponder.

I loved this book in its print version, so much so that I needed to get a Kindle version. The story itself is gripping -- a struggle of foreigners on a world full of nearly immortal people. A tale of cultures, feminism, grown technology and growing sentience, as well as the differences between the poor and the rich, the ageless and the short-lived.

I'm actually writing this because the Kindle version has a serious formatting issue about a third of the way through -- everything starts underlining. It's detracting from my otherwise happy enjoyment of the story of Raincloud, Blackbear, their children and the world of Shora.

(This would be 5 stars except for formatting. The book itself should be 5 stars, and perhaps the formatting should be a 2)

Slonczewski does a fantastic job of creating different cultures in this novel. Many SF novels suffer from poorly thought out cultures; a particular problem is that of monoculture, when the various cultures presented in the book have only superficial differences. Ms. Slonczewski avoids that completely. There are, by my count, four main cultures in this book: the ageless Elysians, the Clickers from Bronze Sky, the Urulites, and the Sharers. There are also several other cultures which play a less important part in the book.

Each of these cultures is completely distinct from the others, with regard not only to manners, customs, and dress, but also some of their fundamental assumptions about how human society should be organized. The interplay between members of these cultures -- their conversations, arguments, and differing opinions -- bring to life a novel which might otherwise have been tedious. Excellent reading!

I think syoung summarizes the situation well. This book is not the equal of A Door Into Ocean, which is simply astonishing. However, it's better than 90f all the sf out there, and all the "mainstream" fiction, as well. I particularly admire the author's willingness to tackle the biggest issues, and her thoughtful consideration of them.

I am not a big fan of sci-fi books (mainly secluded to Kurt Vonnegut), but this book was engrossing. It wasn't a great literary feat, but it kept me interested. It is good FICTION.

I really despised this book. I thought it was boring and preachy. Don't waste your time on this one.

I was given this book for Christmas. I read it and was terribly disapointed. It was too long, and as a former review put it, preachy. When I read the cover, I thought it sounded good. I was wrong. When I got to many parts, I was shocked. I am a Christian, and I didn't agree with th author putting all those gay couples in the book. As I was reading, I thought it was bad enough that she was showing me they were married or whatever they called it in the book. ........................... And all the Sharers were gay, too. Eventually that gets old! I don't recommend this book to anybody.