Customer Reviews

Rift

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

 

 

This is an outstanding piece of work. It is, however, not really classifiable as a mystery, or even a thriller. It is a high-energy adventure and survival story.

The female protagonist is tough, independent, smart, and pretty savvy. But when she decides to go into a section of Africa that no one can tell her much about, she realizes that she has made a mistake. Of what use is money when transportation, food, and lodging is absolutely not available? And who in such a modern world would imagine that one could end up so thoroughly out of reach of civilisation?

She gamely begins the battle to return home, but it seems that someone in her group has become the target for undercover political violence. Could it be her?

Gritty (literally, since washing is a rare luxury in the rift) and suspenseful reading. The details are utterly evocative and convincing; the characters are fully realized. Cody is an outstanding writer, and this is one of her very best.

What is most interesting about this book is her observation of Ethiopia. If you ever see a copy of this book, buy it.

Liza Cody is one of my favorite authors. Her Anna Lee series is outstanding. But this book, with its naive seamstress totally out of her element, has stuck in my mind long after all the other stories faded. I have always wondered how she came to write it.

And, Liza, if you read this, please write more books.

This is an incredible treat. Not a mystery like her later work but an advventure story and a study of what happens when a person is gradually removed from everything familiar. To what lengths will a person go to stay alive? This is a great read.