Customer Reviews

Shadowland (Spider World: Epic Visionary Fiction)

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

 

 

Ten years elapsed between the third volume of the Spider World Trilogy (yes, I meant to say that) and this final installment. At Wilson's own admission, the third volume ended entirely unresolved, but his own interest had faded. In the interim he wrote several books on subjects dear to a New Ager's heart--concerning Atlantis, pyramids, crystals and whatnot--and apparently felt that incorporating these supernatural concepts would bring the Spider World series to a compelling close. And to read the other reviews here, it clearly works for some.

But not for me. When Wilson is telling the story in a straightforward manner, Shadowland moves along well. But he constantly veers off on diversions to include and then justify auras, out-of-body experiences, vibrational energies, therapeutic touch, crystal power, fairies, trolls, vampires, water sprites, and more. Why he felt it necessary to have fairies and vampires in this book I have no idea; the vampires especially served no narrative purpose beyond one entirely incidental 'set-piece'. Of course skepticism and science get slammed--it's genetic manipulation and 'experiments' that get the blame for the most heinous of Shadowland's misfortunes, and skeptics are repeatedly derided for not believing in things like the Earth spirits who can only appear to you if you believe in them and they let you see them. Well, fine, if that's the book you want to write, but contrary to the earlier reviewers I can't see any justification for comparing this to the Dune series, and I also found it EXTREMELY didactic and dogmatic. In fact, I really don't know who this was written for--the fairies and such indicate a younger reader, but the bizarrely kinky naked energy transfer and repressed erotic energy that Shadowland operates upon (I kid you not) belie that!

Along the way also occur all the old McGuffins that so plagued the first SpiderWorld book--Our Plucky Hero sets off to Shadowland to fight the Magician, and is JUST LUCKY ENOUGH to climb into the one cave to find the one supercrystal that can defeat the evil Magician/Scientist. And yes, the ultimate battle between them comes down to the title of my review: My Crystal's Bigger'n Your Crystal. Our Plucky Hero beats the bad guy not because he's smarter, or more noble, or more pluckier, but because he picked up a bigger rock. How disappointing that is! How disappointing the whole thing is.

Not really the best ending to the series. A ending, with some interesting themes and a OK plot. It moved fast but too new age, life force, crystal science for me. I like philosophy but I like more science fiction with it.
Get it used.

Those who know CW from his non-fiction and also enjoy sci-fantasy will be rewarded by reading this series. The narrative skill is pacy and CW incorporates his 'philosophy' without it becoming didactic. I think the series is easily his best fiction. It was apparently written as a response to Roal Dahl's suggestion that CW should write something for teenagers - a sort of Lord of the Rings which would appeal to all readers.
CW always emphasises that he is a writer of ideas and this genre is an excellent medium for such!

This story is gripping, the kind of story you want more and more of. Hard to believe a world of sentient giant insects can pass on so much information about humans, nature, and philosophy. The main character Niall gets all kinds of lessons in civilian/military survival strategy, diplomacy, loyalty, tragedy, sacrifice, momentary fame, occult mystery, the machinations of power and cultural traditions, and a struggle against seemingly inevitable defeat.

There are many moments that will put a science fiction lover into remembrance of favorite scenes from Planet of the Apes, Stranger in a Strange Land, or the stories of H.G. Wells. Anyone who has spent time pondering the politics of insects in a garden will get alot out of this story. Thank you, Colin Wilson. This story is Epic!

We were very please to find Shadowland. Search everywhere in Australia without success. Thanks