Book Description
In the distant future, society has crumbled. Dark forces now rule the land, keeping all humans under their oppressive thumbs.In the darkness of the shadows and whispered on the winds, there is talk of a rebellion. In the swamps, a small band has formed. Determined to regain their freedom, the rebellion, heavily outnumbered, plans to overthrow an army of thousands . . . with the help of one incredible weapon.It is only a legend, a story left over from the Old World before magic and the wizards came to the land. A weapon of technology. It is the mystical Elephant, and whoever masters it holds the key to freedom, or defeat.One young man, determined to avenge the death of his family, sets out to join the rebellion and find Elephant. What he discovers will change everything.
Customer Reviews:
Empire of the East.......2007-03-09
Fred Saberhagen is an icon in the world of fantasy and science fiction writing. Some of the first sci-fi I read was his work. His style has evolved since the fist book in this trilogy, the Broken Lands.
The Broken Lands tells the story of Rolf, a farm boy whose family is murdered by the Eastern Empire army that has conquered his homeland. Rolf, while searching for his missing little sister. In his journey he joins the small resistance and gets swept into the search for the Elephant, a mythical beast prophesied to help free them.
The Elephant is part of the Old World. The story revolves around the fact that the world of technology was destroyed and the world of magic arose. The Elephant is a relic of the old world that still works, a nuclear powered tank that has remained hidden in a secure bunker for thousands of years. Apparently, technology from the Old World is far advanced of what we have today.
Rolf and his allies defeat the local Satrap of the East, but in the process, they lose the Elephant and all it's power. The book ends with the resistance preparing for a larger war against the Empire.
This first book has a fast pace, but leaves a lot of the details unexplained. It is a little unbelievable, but the pacing and characters are good, so it is a pleasant read. Luckily the next two books are much better.
In the Black Mountain, the Eastern Empire's local lord is Som the Dead. He is an undead sorcerer that has been given control over the Western lands. In this book, you see just how evil the East is. It is full of political infighting and deceit.
The story is told from Rolf's point of view as well as Chup, a former Satrap of the East who was captured by the resistance in the last book. Rolf and the resistance go up against Som and his demon minion, Zapranoth. In this book you see more of the technology and get a better idea of the fall of the Old World. The characters are much better defined and written. There is plenty of action, which I like.
This story is also about redemption. Chup turns from the path of evil and defects to the Western armies. To be honest, I like Chup's character the best. Chup has an iron code of honor and a blunt honesty that is admirable. He turns out to be the hero that defeats Zapranoth.
In Ardneh's World, we meet the Emperor of the East, an immortal named John Ominor. He has command of the most powerful wizards and demons on the planet. We also meet Ardneh, the Godlike being indirectly supporting the West. This book is the ultimate confrontation between the two.
The power of the east is anchored in the might of the demon Orcus, the most powerful being in existence. The story tells of the creation of magic and demons by the Old World.
There was a great nuclear war in the past. The scientists of the Old World developed a technology against nuclear war that changed the rules of physics. This change caused advanced technology to stop working and brought into being the powers of magic. Orcus was created by a nuclear explosion that went off at the same time that the rules changed. Any act of violence that happened at that exact moment created a demon. The more violent and powerful the act, the more powerful the demon. But the rules of magic were not fixed, and have slowly been sliding back to where science works again.
Which is where Ardneh comes in. Ardneh is a self aware computer designed to reverse the change and allow science to come back into ascendancy. Ardneh is a benevolent being who stands for all that was good from the Old World. He has set his course against the Empire of the East and all the evil that supports it.
Rolf is recruited by Ardneh to assist in the final battle against Orcus and the Eastern Armies. The story ends with the rules being partially reversed and Orcus is turned back into the nuclear explosion that birthed him. But the rules did not totally reverse. They are now equal. Science and magic powers coexist in the New World.
This story is a prequel to Fred's massively successful fantasy series The Books of Swords. It tells the back story of Ardeh and Draffut that figure so much in that series.
Empire of the East.......2007-01-10
Excellent epic by Saberhagan. Long tale of a post-apocalyptic Earth and how magic and magical beings good and evil, have been loosed upon the Earth. Good read.
No-Frills Fantasy at its Best!.......2006-04-22
Anytime I get sick of the over-written, under-edited garbage that many publishing houses pass off as fantasy literature these days, I turn to my 1979 Ace Books edition of Empire of the East.
Saberhagen's sparse, fast-paced style may seem harsh to people who grew up with the 90's and new millennium bloated literary vomit of Robert Jordan and his ilk; however, anyone who is willing to step past the "more words = better writing" mindset will be happily surprised by the energy, characterization, plotting, and true sense of proper conclusion that Empire of the East provides.
Empire of the East is a fine example of late 60's, early 70's fantasy: characters grow in direct correlation to their deeds and not through some unappetizing mechanism of video game-like power levels that has become the norm these days; moral and ethical issues are explored through the stories and not through the preachy 40-page socio-political rants made famous by Terry Goodkind; and, best of all, it's a rousing good tale that you can get through in a few days and walk away from deeply satisfied.
I would recommend Empire of the East to anyone, but would also warn that it is not for everyone. Most people who only know fantasy that reads tolerably well when skipping one page in eight will need to develop a taste for books like Empire of the East. Still, it is well worth doing if you are looking for an exceptional book that can be read and re-read once every five or so years over your entire lifetime.
A HORRIBLE BOOK - I CANNOT BELIEVE THE POSITIVE REVIEWS.......2006-03-02
When I first saw this book in the Fantasy Section of the bookstore, my interest was piqued. Being a relatively fast reader, I tend to look for long, complex books, with memorable characters and good, original plots. After reading the back of the book, I was sure this book fulfilled both counts; it was long, at 512 pages, it was a self-contained trilogy of three shorter books (The Broken Lands, The Black Mountains, and Ardneh's World), but best of all, the plot seemed fascinating.
To summarize, it is about a world at least 50 000 years in the future, after a devastating nuclear near-holocaust has wiped out technology, but introduced a weak form of magic, as well as demons. The evil Empire of the East has conquered the lands of the West, but a bold army of freedom fighters has risen up in revolt. Despite their bravery, they cannot win unless they find Elephant, a legendary creature of great power. Into this steps Rolf, a farmer who lost his entire family to the Empire of the East. Thirsting for revenge, he agrees to find Elephant. He does find it (in reality a tank), and thanks to this, they are able to liberate the West. The next two-thirds of the book chronicle how he helps the West overthrow the East. While doing this, he rescues a Princess and discovers the sentient supercomputer Ardneh, which helps him defeat the Demon Orcus at the cost of its own existence.
Now on to the review! First, the good things. This story had some very memorable characters, ranging from the seductive, yet ultimately evil, Charmain, to the noble, omnicompassionate Draffut, called the Beastlord, not to mention Ardneh itself. Secondly, this story had some very well written scenes; the chapter in which Ardneh describes its origins as a computer designed to ward off a nuclear holocaust is particularly well-crafted.
Now on to the bad things about this book.
Firstly, the plot much too simple for an adult novel. While reading it, one can't help but feel at times that the story reads like the novelization of a B-movie. Movies should have reasonably simple, visual plots, while good novels should have more complex plots. The lack of complex plotting makes this story feel like a movie. The description on the back, which had so enthralled me, turned out to be the description for the first book only, the bare bones of which could have had great potential if handled in the right way. This kind of book would be good for young adults, or adults who don't like overly-complex storylines, but if you're looking for a book with even a moderately complicated plot, avoid this one all costs.
Secondly, the story is simply too clichéd. A literary cliché can actually be very subtle and well-written, if it is written with enough originality. The plot of The Broken Lands, book one of the trilogy, is basically a "get the sword" story, the only difference being the replacement of "the sword" with "Elephant". In Ardneh's World, the final book of the trilogy, Rolf actually rescues and falls in love with a princess! And I always thought Fantasy had moved past such tired "rescue and fall in love with the beautiful princess" clichés! A literary cliché can actually be very subtle and well-written, if it is written with enough originality. Unfortunately, Saberhagen obviously failed to recognize this, as evidenced by the fact that his clichéd plot devices possess little, if any originality
Thirdly, the story was riddled with characters who should have been (more) important, but for some reason weren't. At times, they appeared at random and vanished again, only to reappear again much later, or not at all. For example, at one point, Rolf rescues his long-lost sister, who should have become, if not major, at least a medium character. You would think that this would at least be a major plot development. Well, guess what? Rolf's sister gets only one line at the end of The Black Mountains, after which she and the rescue are never mentioned again!
This leads me to my fourth complaint: the story was very disjointed, almost (in my opinion) too disjointed to be called a trilogy. Not just characters, but entire plotlines which seem important disappear, never to be seen again. eVEN THE "GOOD" elements have been done to death: evil, seductive princess: Check; sentient supercomputer: Check; nucleur holocaust/post apocalypse: Check. wHILE THESE THEMES have been done well elsewhere, they were not well done here. Unfortunately, there is an overlying plot, however tenuous, so one cannot hope to understand it if one reads the last two parts alone. The first part could be read as a stand-alone book, but it's mediocre at best, so it shouldn't be worth the bother. If you are looking for good fantasy novels (something which, contrary to popular belief, is not an oxymoron) look elsewhere. I would recommend A Song of Ice and Fire, by George R. R. Martin, AND The Lion of Macedon, by David Gemmal. As an introduction to fantasy for young adult readers, I highly recommend Goblin Wood and The Farsala Trilogy, both by Hilari Bell, as well as The Bartimaeus Trilogy, by Jonathan Stroud.
Bewildered by the praise!.......2004-01-27
I bought a used copy of this book and read it because a review by Roger Zelazny compared it to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings and called it superior. I don't know what everyone is smoking who praises this book so lavishly, but send me some now!!! There are a number of interesting plot elements, characters, and settings which is why I allowed it two stars. The problem is that the disjointed storyline and plot threads that trickle off to nothing take away from what might have been a great story. By the time I had finished reading the book I was wondering if I had mistakenly purchased a first outline that was meant for a publisher to review. But, alas, the book is the final product. I am not a sci-fi or fantasy snob and read everything from Niven to Piper and Tolkien to Piers Anthony so I think that I have a wide range of reading experience to use in evaluating this book. I would not go so far as to recommend avoiding the book (reference the above mentioned good points) but would warn any potential reader that there is far better Saberhagen out there. It's not often that I feel negatively about a book that I've read but I just feel that the praise of this one led me to an unfulfilled sense of expectation which did not materialize once the story spun out. Good luck.
Average customer rating:
- A WORTHY SALUTE TO A RICH POETIC TRADITION
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Broken Land: Poems of Brooklyn
Manufacturer: NYU Press
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 0814748031 |
Book Description
"This book isn't only for Brooklyn residents but for all those who value communityà Reading this collection is a moving experience because the poems feel home-grown. It doesn't matter where they were written, each one makes Brooklyn come alive, and the poems find a home inside you."
—From the Foreword by Hal Sirowitz, author of Mother Said
Brooklyn, crouching forever in the shadow of Manhattan, is perhaps best known for a certain bridge or for the world-renowned tackiness of Coney Island. When it comes to literary history, Brooklyn can also seem dwarfed by its sister borough-until you take a closer look. As unlikely as it may sound, for more than two centuries Brooklyn has inspired poets and poetry. Although there are plenty of poetry anthologies devoted to specific regions of the United States,
Broken Land is the first to focus exclusively on verse that celebrates Brooklyn. And what remarkable verse it is.
Edited by poets Julia Spicher Kasdorf and Michael Tyrell, this collection of 135 notable poems reveal the many cultural, ethnic, aesthetic, and religious traditions that have accorded Brooklyn its enduring place in the American psyche. Dazzling in its selections,
Broken Land offers poetry from the colonial period to the present, including contributions from the American poets most closely associated with Brooklyn-Walt Whitman, Hart Crane, and Marianne Moore-as well as memorable poems from Elizabeth Bishop, Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, George Oppen, and Charles Reznikoff. Also included are a wide range of contemporary works from both established and emerging poets: Derek Walcott, Galway Kinnell, C.K. Williams, Amy Clampitt, Martin Espada, Lisa Jarnot, Marilyn Hacker, Tom Sleigh, D. Nurkse, Donna Masini, Michael S. Harper, Noelle Kocot, Joshua Beckman, and many others.
With its expansive array of poetic styles and voices,
Broken Land mirrors the borough's diversity, toughness, and surprising beauty. The requirements for inclusion in this volume were simple: excellent poems that pay tribute in some way to the land that Dutch settlers, translating from the Algonquin, called "Gebroken landt." But it is the phrase emblazoned on borough billboards that best serves to entice readers into entering this book: "Welcome to Brooklyn, Like No Other Place in the World."
Customer Reviews:
A WORTHY SALUTE TO A RICH POETIC TRADITION.......2007-05-17
Karsdorf and Tyrell have created a Brooklyn "monument"--in the very best sense of the word--in this homage to a thriving borough with its own unique thriving poetics.
Besides being a generous, good spirited enterprise, "Broken Land" is artfully organized. The editors have evaded nostalgia, cloying tribute, and reductive provincialism. The charm of the American imagination is in full display.
London, Tennessee, or Texas. . . "Broken Land" is a "must have" for any public or personal library... a real gift!
Amazon.com
The 17th novel in Muller's series featuring San Francisco private eye Sharon McCone, The Broken Promised Land finds McCone assigned to provide security for Ricky Savage, a country-and-western superstar who happens to be McCone's brother-in-law. Savage has been the target of hate notes that are terrorizing the singer, his wife, and six kids. McCone's job is to turn up the culprit before Savage's tour to promote his new album collapses under the weight of his fear and paranoia.
Book Description
The 17th novel in Muller's series featuring San Francisco private eye Sharon McCone, The Broken Promised Land finds McCone assigned to provide security for Ricky Savage, a country-and-western superstar who happens to be McCone's brother-in-law. Savage has been the target of hate notes that are terrorizing the singer, his wife, and six kids. McCone's job is to turn up the culprit before Savage's tour to promote his new album collapses under the weight of his fear and paranoia.
Customer Reviews:
A welcome return to form for Muller.......2003-05-29
It took me almost a month to get through the previous book in the McCone series, "A Wild and Lonely Place." The characters were so dull, the plot so mechanical and the writing so cliched, I feared that Muller had run out of gas.
Not to worry! I read "Broken Promise Land" in less than 24 hours because the characters and situations were interesting and the writing was just fine. This is the Muller I've come to expect. One of the best in this very fine series.
P.S. If you're new to Muller, I URGE you to read her books in order. She's very careful about not giving away previous mysteries, but the characters really do grow and develop over time in these books. Additionally, there are plot developments that I would not want to have spoiled for me. Unlike authors who take a few books until they hit their stride, Muller was good from the very first Sharon McCone book, "Edwin of the Iron Shoes". Even though the series began in the 1970's, the older ones are suprisingly fresh. If you like character-driven mysteries with strong women at the center, you'll like this series.
This Land Is Pretty Entertaining.......2002-12-15
THE BROKEN PROMISE LAND is another entry in Muller's popular Sharon McCone series. I don't know if I'd characterize myself as a fan of these tales. At least, not like somebody who joins a "fan club" or buys hardcover copies and tries to get the author's autograph on them. I do enjoy the series enough, however, to have read all of them up through this one. In general, I rate the McCone mysteries about four stars. That's above average and explains why I keep coming back.
THE BROKEN PROMISE LAND is, in my opinion, one of the better stories in the series so far. Regular readers will enjoy the update on changes taking place in McCone's life and in the lives of other familiar characters that surround her. Beyond that, though, this is one of Ms. Muller's better plots. Both McCone and her current beau, Hy Ripinsky, get drawn into the action when her brother-in-law, Ricky Savage, who is a genuine country music star, becomes involved with a stalker. From there, the action is fast-paced, both in terms of the mystery and the personal turmoil it entails for McCone and some of her friends and family members.
I have just two minor problems with this story (if you don't want to know anything about what happens in the book you should skip this paragraph). First, I thought that Ricky falling out of his marriage and directly into the welcoming arms of Rae a bit too easy, too convenient. It keeps Ricky in the mix and gives Charlotte an easy entree for future stories, but it was just too pat to suit me. Second, I thought the the events in the final moments, when everything finally becomes clear and the reader is all set for the big final showdown, was a letdown. Too quick and too easy an end after all the effort to uncover the wacko stalker.
THE BROKEN PROMISE LAND is a book that will please and entertain McCone fans, but beyond that it's a good mystery that a casual reader will also find engrossing. Once you get going, it's one you won't easily put down. I've given it a strong four stars and I recommend it. Give it a try.
A real winner!.......2002-08-29
Private Investigator Sharon McCone's brother-in-law, Ricky Savage, is a famous and successful Country Western singer. He calls on Sharon to help him uncover the source of threatening notes which he has been receiving. When Sharon begins to investigate, she finds that Ricky's marriage to her sister is in danger, as well as his life. As she digs into Ricky's past, she discovers some sordid things he has done, and finds people who might have a motive to harm him. This is a fast-paced mystery, full of interesting characters and enough twists and turns to keep things interesting. There have been many changes in Sharon's life during the course of this series, and this book is full of them. Marriages and partnerships are made and broken, and the reader gets a fascinating look at part of Sharon's family and at the backstage life of a music star. This is a very entertaining book!
Great reading - couldn't put it down.......1998-09-07
Another great Sharon McCone novel - Marcia Muller can't write them fast enough for me!! I love the characters, their development and inter-relationships as well as the witty dialogue. Of course the mystery is wonderful too.
Can't put it down!!.......1998-07-31
Great book!! Sharon McCone, Rae Kelleher, Hank Zahn, Mick Savage come to life after reading only a few pages. I'm an avid mystery reader, and the Sharon McCone series is one of my favorites! Keep writing, Ms. Muller!!
Customer Reviews:
'The Broken Land' is terrific! .......2005-12-21
Frank De Courten's description of the Great Basin's origins is remarkably clear and enjoyable. The author's explanations of specific geological processes are more complete and satisfying than I've found elsewhere. His style is very relaxed and he has a great gift for organization and presentation of technical details.
Average customer rating:
- Don't Waste Your Money On This One!
- Bleak but engaging
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The Broken Lands: A Novel of Arctic Disaster
Robert Edric
Manufacturer: Thomas Dunne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Contemporary
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ASIN: 0312288891 |
Book Description
The Broken Lands-a treacherous labyrinth of ice through which the fabled Northwest Passage was sought for centuries. Cabot, Frobisher, Hudson, Parry and Ross were all defeated, and the names on the maps testify to their despair: Bay of God's Mercy, the Devil's Cape, Savage Isles, and Repulse Bay. Determined to succeed where the rest had failed, Sir John Franklin-"the Lion of the Arctic"-set sail from Greenland in 1845. His two ships, the Erebus and the Terror, were last sighted in August of that year, after which the entire expedition-all 135 men-disappeared. For three years, the two ships were trapped in the Arctic ice. Eventually the slow vise of the ice pack and spoiling provisions proved to be too much. Nothing was heard of Franklin's expedition for over a decade, and only many years later did the world begin to learn of their terrible, agonizing fate. In this enthralling, richly inventive novel, Robert Edric recreates what possibly happened to this doomed expedition.AUTHORBIO: Robert Edric is the author of several acclaimed novels. The Broken Lands is the first of his novels to be published in America. He currently lives in East Yorkshire.
Customer Reviews:
Don't Waste Your Money On This One!.......2002-04-11
I know this is supposed to be a 'historical novel' about the famous Franklin Expedition but the author should at least stick to known facts. He has Graham Gore alive until about the last page when he in fact was dead before the trek to Back's Fish River began. Also, Francis Rawdon Moira Crozier - the only true Polar expert in the entire expedition - is portrayed constantly as the bad guy. Captain Crozier had been to the Arctic numerous times with Parry and to the Antarctic with Ross so he had experience in any ice condition. Sir James Clark Ross thought highly of him and called him his 'tried and trusty friend'. John Irving of the Terror wrote his sister how much he liked 'my Skipper'. Sir John Franklin only wanted to lead the expedition because of his political troubles in Tasmania and he was trying to heal his wounded pride. Captain Crozier had, in fact, commanded the Terror during Ross' Antartic expedition and conned his ship through many dangers. I can't understand why Fitzjames is made out to be the big hero when in fact he got where he was because of his friendship with Sir John Barrow's son. If you want to read an outstanding 'historical novel' about this famed expedition, then buy NORTH WITH FRANKLIN: THE LOST JOURNALS OF JAMES FITZJAMES by John Wilson. For the actual historical story itself (not a novel), you can't do any better than ARCTIC GRAIL by Pierre Berton, BARROW'S BOYS by Fergus Fleming and the 2 books by David C. Woodman (by far the best of them all): UNRAVELLING THE FRANKLIN MYSTERY and STRANGERS AMONG US. Don't waste your money buying THE BROKEN LANDS - I'm sorry I did.
Bleak but engaging.......2002-02-08
The quest for the NorthWest Passage has always fascinated me. Reading accounts of Nansen, Frobisher and Hudson fuelled my early love for adventure and the North.
Broken Lands does not disappoint. This novel tells of an expedition into the Canadian North by the "Lion of the North," Sir John Franklin. The research that author Robert Edric must have done is showcased in the detailed account of the effects of extreme cold on the expedition's ships and sailors. He gives the North a distinct character in Broken Lands: one of a harsh, merciless adversary.
The characters are believable and the story is captivating. the descriptions of the Arctic are evocative and powerful. Edric writes for his audience. The combination of personal struggle and taut action makes Broken Lands immensely readable.
The Franklin expedition may not have happened exactly as Edric presents it, but after reading Broken Lands, it certainly feels possible. An excellent fictional supposition of what the expedition was like.
Book Description
One woman's journey from horrific childhood to a safe and sane adulthood, Carla shares some of life's toughest lessons and recounts her struggle to rise above her abusive childhood, her story is a cautionary tale of what can happen to a child in their own home.
Customer Reviews:
Land of Broken Toys.......2007-09-13
I was captivated by this book. It is simply a great read and very educational. I was sadden, horrified and inspired within the same breath. I simply wish that the story was one of fiction and not Carla's real life. No man, woman or child should ever experience such pain, hardship and abuse.
Inspiration for all!.......2007-09-02
Land of Broken toys is a attention grabbing, heart wrenching memoir of the authors life that depicts how the innocence of children can be compromised through silent physical and sexual abuse an ultimately have damaging affects on their relationships, life experiences and lack of self-esteem. Carla St. Rose fortunately demonstrates, while inspiring the reader, determination and inner-strength to rise above her damaging obstacles in life to become an inspiration and role model to all who have encountered similar circumstances. I highly recommend this book
Excitement by the Chapter.......2007-04-04
The Land of Broken Toys was an entertaining book that felt like a collection of short stories that all were made uniform by the main character, Carla. Carla's journey into life touched on intimate and social moments that the reader can relate too, and never have the strength to openly admit too. The content kept my focus and my heart actually sadden when the stories ended with some unresolved situations that never got closer, but due to life's circumstances, Carla had to move on. Therefore closure was formulated by a lack of a time, place, and opportunity to resolve these occurrences. I highly recommend this book.
A moving account of survival and triumph.......2006-12-10
Carla St. Rose Rein has written a harrowing and ultimately triumphant tale of her life. She begins with her early childhood. The close family ties and strong women she introduces us to are in stark contrast to the life of abandonment and abuse she leads after coming to the US with her mother and sisters.
The effects this has on her own adult relationships is evident as Carla leads you through her life. Her resilience is amazing. The reader shares in her realization that it is ultimately up to Carla to end the cycle of violence and abuse. Carla finds the strength and resourcefulness to do just that in her private and public life.
This book reaches out to give hope to other survivors and to caution parents that their choices have huge consequences for their children.
Heart breaking and inspiring, Land of Broken Toys is a true voice for the survivors and victims of abuse........2006-11-22
It is easy to forget the ameature editing job Land of Broken Toys suffers from and to get lost in the story of our heroine. The voice of Carla St. Rose-Rein is an incredibly strong one, pulling you into her story from the first page. Her strength in writing comes from an innate ability for story telling. In this fashion, her chapters are short, as if the reader has been invited into Carla's own memories as she paints her world for the reader.
Carla does not open with the meat of her story, with her abuse, rather, she draws the reader into almost a lull with a fairytale scene of life in Trinidad. One forgets for a few chapters what Carla's goal in writing really is. For a moment, you are invited into this seeming paradise. And that is precisely when Carla hits you with the violence she will experience throughout the book; throughout her life. She hits you with the same ferocity as her mother used in her beatings. Just as suddenly as Carla was thrown into a life of abuse at the hands of her mother and her mother's boyfriends, Carla throws you into the thick of it, to experience the beatings along with her child self.
Later, Carla guides you though her experiences at the hands of three of her mother's suitors and then at the hands of men she invited into her own adult life. Carla writes of the debilitating effects of child molestation along with the perhaps even more damaging experience of not being believed and subsequently punished for accusing her rapists.
The sheer amount of voilence Carla has experienced in her life is stagering. The amazing woman Carla has become is awe-inspiring. To be able to rise up from a life in which you are taught you are literally nothing but a whipping post and a recepticle for the weakest man's desire for dominance and become a partner in a successful business as well as an author and voice for the abused is nothing but a miracle of the human soul.
Customer Reviews:
One of my favorite re-reads-.......2006-07-08
Fast moving reflection of personal courage and rising to meet one's life challenge. Main character's reactions to life's events are inspirational. You will immediately be drawn into this well fleshed out world/society, become attached to the characters and hope for a continuation of this story.
Captivating........2000-08-16
McDonald swept me away with his unique view of organicals amidst a futuristic world of modern day conflicts. I fell in love with Methembe, the lead character, from the beginning and the undertones of spirituality kept this novel alive. I highly recommend to anyone interested in a hard sci-fi novel.
Woo-hoo, organicals and diaspora.......2000-06-21
Personally, I find this to be one of Ian McDonald's better books. I've always been a fan of organic technology in sci-fi so I am always pleased to see a book that uses it. Unfortunately, his use of organicals tends to mirror typical sci-fi technology a little too closely. McDonald usually includes some sort of discussion of spirituality (thankfully not overdone). In this work, he does a great job of weaving this theme in amongst a tale of diaspora in a nation torn with religous conflict. While the setting's technology can get a little cheesy at times, the political backdrop makes for a truly interesting tale. Over all, the author's writing in this book is very good. I am a very critical grader, and so even though I enjoyed many parts of this book, the overall literary quality makes me tend to rate this one at a three (it would take an astonding masterpiece of literature that happened to appeal to me personally to get a five). I would most certainly recommend this book to any sci-fi fan.
Average customer rating:
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Africa's Broken Heart: Congo-The Land the World Forgot
Hugh McCullum
Manufacturer: World Council of Churches
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Democratic Republic of Congo
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ASIN: 2825415065 |
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Broken Images: A Study of the Waste Land
Robert L. Schwarz
Manufacturer: Bucknell Univ Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
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ASIN: 0838751377 |
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