Singer from the Sea

I have been reading sci-fi and, to a lesser extent, fantasy for many years and have found some books that just grab me (where I lock myself in the bathroom to have undisturbed reading time). But this book has achieved something that no other book has ever don - two days after I finished the book I started to read it again. Too often I skim through novels because I get sucked into the plot - this was definitely the case with Singer from the Sea. Rereading it again has given me a better appreciation of the style of writing, the pace of the story and characterizations. I am enjoying it even more the second time through!

In Singer from the Sea, author Sherri Tepper creates a memorable heroine, Genevieve the Marchioness of Langmarsh. Who and what Genevieve is happens to be part of the mystery in this novel. Genevieve behaves admirably as the well-brought-up, educated noblewoman she is. But part of her operates at a level that even Genevieve has trouble connecting with. Sometimes she feels, and acts, like two different persons.People live a long, long time on Haven, that is, if they are of the ruling class and if they are men. Women don't seem to fare as well; a large number of the noblewomen simple fade like flowers after bearing a child or two-mostly succumbing to batfly fever. Only the drug P'Naki, whose production is strictly controlled on the island of Mahahm can save people from batfly fever. Unfortunately, pregnant or nursing women can't take it. There is another horrific problem looming; planet after planet suffers a mysterious ailment where all native life simply stops. Animals die, plants yellow and wilt. And people begin to suffer a strange affliction; they simply stop as if they were frozen in their tracks. Living, yet not alive. The very time the planet dies can be pinpointed to a night of fires in the sky. What is going on? And why? No one seems to know.Genevieve is called to serve at the court of the Lord Paramount, ruler of Haven. As she takes up her duties at court, she begins to uncover secrets hidden there, and also begins to uncover what and who she is. And she also begins to discover the true secret of P'Naki. And when she learns more about her heritage, she begins to awaken to the planetary dangers ahead.Genevieve's discoveries lead her to a deadly dangerous situation, and some very exciting reading. One of Tepper's best books, along with Six Moon Dance, Grass and Gate to Women's Country.

With sincere apologies to the great Isaac Asimov, there has never beena better world builder than Sheri Tepper. And with further apologiesto Ursula LeGuin, no one handles gender issues and emotionalambiguities better than Ms. Tepper. Her prose remains brilliant, theplot is complex, and the character development extensive.Summary:On a world divided into nobility and commoners, where women are slavesand pawns, we find that the royalty has discovered a drug which willgive them extremely long lives. The story progresses as anintelligent, but compliant young woman becomes trapped in the politicsof the creation and distribution of this drug, and ultimately, theplanet's future becomes balanced upon her acceptance of her owndestiny.Only Sheri Tepper, with her confident story telling, couldexplore the nuances of such strong gender roles without lapsing intomodern American feminist diatribe. Her characters do not expostulate,they talk to each other and we are led through their lives and throughtheir thoughts. It takes me forever to read through a Tepper book.Her vocabulary is large, and her sentences are complicated. Ideas arenot thrust onto the page fully developed, rather they evolve withprecision through careful reading and attention to details. However,like viewing a painting, the greatest pleasure is gained through slowand careful attention to the work at hand. As you can tell, I highlyrecommend this book. And if you can find "Grass" or"Raising the Stones", you won't be disappointed.

I loved this story. It has many sub plots, and until halfway through the book, I was unsure what the P'Naki really was. The story seems to have too many loose ends to tie up, but Tepper does it perfectly. All of the unfinished sub plots are tied up into one nice knot.

I noticed that one review described this book as "dull." It is true that Tepper has certain themes that recur in all her books, i.e., men oppress women, and as a species, we all seem willing to oppress nature. But, really, I don't need to agree with every one of her opinions to enjoy her wonderful stories. It's the old "Willing suspension of disbelief" that the true book lover is willing to engage! Ms. Tepper's stories are the best as far as my family is concerned. We look forward with eager anticipation to each new book. And this most recent one was among the best. I couldn't stop reading once I started and read straight through to the end! I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves fantasy/science fiction, or just a good story with a real surprise at the end!