Customer Reviews

Helliconia

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

 

 

An interesting, but ultimately not very satisfying, series. Aldiss seems to have conceived the series as a chance to say some things about religion, and to make up an entire other planetary system with unusual weather effects and evolutionary adaptations. He didn't seem to realize until the second book that he also needed characterization and an interesting plot, and then he doesn't do a great job. There are some insightful or suspenseful or beautiful parts, but there is a lot of senseless rape and violence, not for shock value (the few sex scenes are more boring than anything else), but seemingly as part of his philosophy about the nature of mankind. Towards the end he throws in some stuff about the dangers of technology that seems completely out of place. Read it if you have nothing else to do, but keep a dictionary nearby for when he throws in seriously obscure words, and don't expect to be able to pronounce many of the names.

Book was in good condition as advertised. Delivery was very prompt. Very happy with the seller and would have no hesitation buying from them again.