Customer Reviews

Elom

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

 

 

I really loved this novel.

William Drinkard is not your typical debut novelist. He served in the Alabama State Legislature for twelve years, and even was the Senate Majority Leader. He's still involved with politics, but not as an elected official. When one hears such things, one wonders, "Yeah, but can he write?"

In my opinion, the answer is a resounding yes.

The novel starts when the young Geerna is preparing for the ceremony that will make her a woman. Her devotion to her goddess, Shetow, is unquestioned, so when light appears and when it takes her up to the heavens, she believes that she is going to Shetow.

Next, we are transported untold thousands of years to a gathering of female clan leaders known as Medoras. They share the world of Elom with an alien species known as drak, who are a sort feathered lizardmen. The drak have notified them that it is time for the Second Judging, a time long-foretold when Shetow would decide if the People are worthy enough to continue existing. They decide to use an unexplained Trait that the Medoras were given at the last Progression (which is about equivalent to an "eon," or an "Age" for Robert Jordan fans) to decide who would become a representative. The candidates must be selected by the conclusion of the upcoming mating ritual, where young people compete for the privilege of procreating.

Along the way, we learn that the People have lived according to a Covenant that Geerna made with Shetow in order to be given their second chance. Men are hunters and women are artists. There are other occupations of course--no society could function with only two jobs--but it is forbidden to cross these gender lines. Everyone's lives has one purpose--to improve the race for the Second Judging by selective breeding certain traits of intelligence, artistic ability and physical prowess.

The rest of the novels is about these eventual representatives, their competition and selection, and their enlightenment as to what is really behind the Second Judging. Seven are selected, three men and four women. They vary in age from sixteen to about twenty. A great deal of time is spent with their various rivalries and love lives, and how they eventually pair up. However, this is interspersed skillfully between revelations about the Second Judging, the nature of the drak, the truth behind a mark most of them have on their skin and the fate of the artwork that the women of the twenty-four tribes has labored for centuries to produce.

A surprisingly short amount of time was spent on the mating competition, but in retrospect I would not have enjoyed reading about contest after contest. I really enjoyed the way Drinkard revealed more and more of the secrets of Elom while the characters made their travels, and few of the secrets were anything I expected. I enjoyed a scene toward the end when the three human races of Elom--collected from Earth at various points in the past--see each other for the first time. I just wish that they all had a chance to actually interact with each other.

The writing is unaffected yet lyrical, and absolutely riveting. This novel is definitely a candidate for a reread. As I came closer to the end, I began to wonder if this novel is the start of a series, since it became clear that something I expected to happen would not happen. However, the ending--which I found reminiscent of a certain encounter in Carl Sagan's Contact--made the possibility of a sequel ambiguous. The story feels like it came to a conclusion, yet it definitely hints that the adventures of the seven are far from over.

Ugh! What tripe. The author does a good job of taking a relatively clever idea--a civilizaton steeped in ritual and tradition coming to terms with its purpose, or lack thereof--and ruining it completely. The author focuses mainly on the trivial sexual escapades and fantasies of his characters, providing the reader a so-so soft porn and teenage melodrama. The overall tone of the story strikes one as being insencere; each character speaks unconvincingly in the authors own voice, providing no real insight into the personality or motivation of the character. What does come across quite clearly is: "you look nice, you'd look nicer in bed", which after a few pages, or chapters, can quickly raise the bile.

The author comes close to redeeming himself in his construction of the civilization itself. At first blush it appears simplistic but is fleshed out a bit as rituals and traditions are introduced and explained. He then flushes it all by removing all purpose for these rituals with his ending. Do the rituals have any purpose? Perhaps to eventually save civilizaton from some horrible fate? No, that might be too dramatic. Instead he explains away his entire construction by foisting the blame off onto a bored super being who felt it was time to mess around a bit. Perhaps a scathing commentary on our own humanity, but I doubt it.

I give the book two stars for effort; that--and the fact that the book was written in comprehensible English--are all the thing has going for it. Stick to writing laws Bill, or at least voting on them.

Elom is a debut novel by a self-described sci-fi fan, and it shows in the plethora of cliches to be found. Let's start with the central plot: a master race is demanding that humanity be judged to determine whether the species will be allowed to continue, and to that end surrogates are selected to be tested. There's a lot of gee-whiz scenes where the characters encounter examples of the advanced technology of this master race. There's a return-to-earth theme, fast learning machines.

But let's get past all that, because in the beginning I was enjoying the story quite a lot. The characters were likable, the action moved along well, and the relationships were developed nicely. The culture is primitive-but-knowledgeable, and the plot pulls you along toward the point where the main characters compete in an annual contest to determine selection of life partners. I liked the way the author showed the interactions of the characters based on their personalities and history.

I still want to like this novel, but there are serious flaws that I must point out. Let's start with what seems like an adolescent fascination with the touchy-gropy part of teen relationships. I was particularly disappointed in the seemingly-mature and level headed Seeker who couldn't keep himself from falling in love with whichever girl he happened to be looking at. The 20th time I read a paragraph where one of the males gazes longingly at the exquisite form of one of the females, I was tired. The 30th time I was .. well .. something beyond tired.

Then, the novel takes its time exploring the terrain the characters pass through without relating it to the plot. There are dead end scenes such as an escape during which the lead characters roam about and gain important clues only to find out the "escape" was permitted and the "clues" were all immediately explained. Indeed, the entire novel seems to be about the protagonists unraveling the mystery of their existence, only to have it handed to them (implanted in their brains no less) toward the end. What was the point of all the sleuthing?

But the biggest problem I have with this book is (SPOILER ALERT): the central plot element, the judging of humanity, never takes place! At least not within the narrative of this book, and it isn't clear that it ever will. It's almost like a big "never mind" at the end. What the ... ? I was hanging on to see how that would unfold. Then I was 10 pages from the end, then 5, then 2, and I'm like IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!

If Drinkard writes a second novel, I might be inclined to pick it up, just to see if he has addressed these defficiencies in his writing. I wanted to like this book, and maybe I WILL like the next one.

I found this book in the discount bin. The idea sounded promising, so I purchased it without bothering to sample the first chapter. Big mistake. I found the storytelling to be heavy-handed, slow, and not to my liking. All of which is a shame, because the idea presented on the cover "Clan of the Cave Bear" meets "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" sounded most intriguing.

About a quarter of the way in, this book found its way to my 'tried-to-read-it-YAWN-can't-keep-going-donate-it-the-local-library-instead' pile. I was thankful I had not paid full price for the book. I also re-learned a valuable lesson: Always read the first chapter before buying any novel.

Wow! What an exciting read! This book is so good, I read it in two days. The characters are memorable, The world is believable, The journey is INTENSE! The story is new! So, lay back, relax and then hold on to the edge of your bed as you journey with the heros and heroins to find their truth! I am not only recommending it to friends, i am purchasing it for them! Enjoy!

The People live a difficult but grateful life; they are thankful for Fire from the Goddess Shetow and the hunt mostly of the mighty mammoth who provide food and clothing. All of the tribe know their role in keeping everyone safe, men mostly as hunters and women mostly as gatherers and artisans. Geerna realizes it is time for her to become a woman. She anxiously waits at the Awakening Place not knowing what to expect when a light shines brightly on her; she begins a trek no member of the People has ever had to do before her.

Eons pass with People remaining the same. They abide by Geerna's Law enforced by the Medora Council wise women until Shetow who chose Geerna to bring the covenant to the People demands they choose new champions. Those chosen must prove to their Goddess that the People remain worthy.

Although the ending is too simple, readers will appreciate this strong reflective look at the interrelationships placed upon people by an external force (think in terms of bringing democracy to Iraq vs. internally the royals bringing democracy to the Kingdom of Bhutan) vs. ages of tradition. The story line is fast-paced, but driven by the magnificent seven who ponder their places in society and with one another. Fans will appreciate William H. Drinkard's thought provoking mythos.

Harriet Klausner

Fantastic read. A well thought out and well written debut novel by William H. Drinkard. His apparent love for history's classic science fiction authors pulsates in a detailed and rich story that introduces the reader to several interesting characters and a deep storyline. It is written with intelligence and passion. It not only entertains and completely engulfs its reader into the plot, but also introduces quite an interesting question to its audience concerning humanity itself.
Every reader and enthusiast that wants to rediscover the roots of science fiction itself should read ELOM. They won't be disappointed.