Shadow's End [Mass Market Paperback]

Sheri S. Tepper (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1995

A woman must discover the origin of the deadly force that once destroyed all human life everywhere except on her own planet, in a novel by the author of the critically acclaimed Grass. Reprint.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

As a force of unknown origin sweeps across the universe, depopulating human-colonized planets in its wake, linguist Lutha Tallstaff travels to the planet Dinadh in search of noted adventurer Leelson Famber, whom she believes may be able to help. Set on a planet where mysterious religious practices hide a terrifying covenant between its inhabitants and the godlike power they worship, this novel offers disturbing insights into humanity's place in the cosmos. Strong characters with personal dilemmas-whose resolutions have far-reaching consequences-add depth and immediacy to the story. Another elegant piece of work from master storyteller Tepper (Beauty, LJ 8/91), this volume belongs in most libraries.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

With such world-building epics as A Plague of Angels , Tepper has secured a reputation for uniquely combining elements of science fiction and fantasy that she maintains in her latest novel by delving into both mythmaking and original scientific speculation. It tells the story of Dinadh, an isolated, human-populated world surrounded by dead planets. A century ago, an unknown force or race known only as the Ularians mysteriously wiped humanity off all the planets within several light-years of Dinadh. Now the unseen Ularians have returned, and the Earth-led Alliance is asking Lutha Tallstaff to return to Dinadh to track down her missing former lover, Leelson Famber, who alone may hold the key to the Ularians' identity. Tepper makes brilliant use of alternating first- and third-person narration and also of fanciful supporting characters, such as Snark, a criminal whose punishment as a "shadow" involves constant, full-sensory monitoring by the Alliance. Although not one of Tepper's best, Shadow's End shows that her skill at inventing new cultures and their citizenry remains impressive. Carl Hays --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Spectra (November 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0553573268
• ISBN-13: 978-0553573268
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,789,697 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One lone voice crying, "I loved it", January 4, 2005

By 

Michel Avery (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow's End (Paperback)

I think I'm the only one I know who loves this book--so I have to stick up for it. OK, I would have given it 4 1/2 stars, if that had been an option, because I don't think Tepper has ever quite come back up to the standard she set in "Grass," "Raising the Stones," "After a Long Silence," and "Gate to Women's Country" (although "Fresco" comes close, and "Gate" has had trouble holding up over time).

The theme of "Shadows End" is invisibility. What (and whom) do we see and not see in our worlds? What stops us from recognizing what's there? Tepper returns to this question in a myriad of ways, both directly and obliquely (visibly and in shadows). It spoke to me deeply. And in such remarkably lovely, deft prose!

The end of the book (stop here if you don't want a real hint) breaks all the rules of writing--it's exactly what your English teachers told you never to do. It's absurd and a little unbelievable, but it also left me in awe at the author's deliberate violation of all conventions. Wow!

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A mixed bag, July 7, 2000

By 

Peter A. Greene (Franklin, PA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shadow's End (Mass Market Paperback)

She did it to me again. Tepper builds a solid, clear and convincing world, creates a compelling and three-dimensional set of characters, sets up an intriguing plot that builds logically and excitingly to a climax and then-- well, I still am not sure exactly what the heck happened. It's like someone else finishes the book for her-- all of that solid logical specific foundation disppears ion metaphysical poetically vagur fog. Perhaps a reader more gifted than I would get that part, but for me it was 9/10ths of a great novel.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, haunting, at times shocking
, December 5, 1996

By A Customer

This review is from: Shadow's End (Mass Market Paperback)

Every time I read a Sheri S. Tepper novel I finish with that shivery feeling that comes from reading a great story -- one that is equal parts uplifting and disturbing. "Shadow's End" is no different; once again, Tepper has taken the archetypes of speculative fiction and given them new life, making them her own.

On the surface, this is a quest story; the quest of a group of people for the salvation of the human colonial enterprise across the stars. But what they find is far from what they expected, and in the climax and stunning denouement, Tepper has incorporated some important commentary on motherhood, patriarchy, and both individual and communal responsibility, without once resorting to preachiness or moralizing. A VERY impressive book.