Six Moon Dance

A well written book with an engaging plot and some fine twists towards the end. Very evenly written, but not for the impatient. The author leaves multiple trails of breadcrumbs, all of which you must follow for the plot to fully blossom. After my first reading, I immediately turned back to page one and started over, to savor consistency and complexity that I could only taste briefly on the first reading.Tepper provides a lot of information about the history of gender interactions and why we think the way we do, which I found quite believable and interesting. (but, being of an age where Women's Studies classes were not commonly available in college, I don't know whether this is WS101 or BS101) She occasionally slips into pedantry, as in her other books, but in this novel she does it by introducing too many superfluous characters, which, while moderately interesting on their own, ultimately exist only to pass on the information, rather than advance the story.Despite this drawback, which is actually pretty minor since the characters themselves and their cultures can be pretty intriguing, I found this book engaging enough for me to go hunting for a hardback copy for my personal library. Approach it with some patience and you will find it rewarding.

I love most of Sheri Tepper's books. But I keep going back and re-reading this one over and over. It's just fascinating!The plot involves a planet with some DEEP problems; earthquakes, mysterious monsters, a virus that kills 1 of about 2 girl babies at birth, and worst of all, a visit pending from the Questioner; a robotic device designed to make sure all sentient planets are in compliance with "human" rights laws. OR ELSE!The society on Newholme is downright strange; men wear veils so their faces won't excite lust in women. Women are the dominant sex; they go for high bride prices and the birth of daughters is a cause for celebration. They make or break a family fortune. Every man gets to father his own genetic line, that is, if he can afford a wife. And so that women are not just chattel, when they are finished with their procreative contracts, they are free to hire consorts, or trained companions of the opposite sex. Consorts are fantasy men, who dance, know wines, duel gallantly (but mostly harmlessly) and accompany their patronesses to cultural events, plus give them the love and companionship missing in their contractual marriages. Married men are free to conduct business and need not spend the time to pleasure their wives. Everyone gets something they want. But all is not totally peachy on Newholme and this forms a very inventive plot for a cast of very diverse and interesting characters. This is one fun and interesting book. I think it's one of the most inventive science fiction novels in years and it is fun to read. Don't miss it.

There are those who say that Sheri Tepper has only one story to tell and that she tells it over and over again in her books. There is a degree of truth to that statement. Certainly, in "Six Moon Dance", Tepper spins her usual futuristic speculative yarn of mankind threatening a wider planetary intelligence through ignorance and greed, in a world run by a matriarchal society rigorously controlled through the creation and manipulation of religious taboos. As usual, her tale is supercharged with gender issues and cultural curiosities, as she holds up her giant mirror for us all to gaze upon. No doubt many readers of her works will feel they've heard it all before... With writing this good, though, I for one will forgive Tepper her constant recycling of ideas (and it has to be admitted that she draws on a good many ideas from her earlier books here). Indeed, I consider this to be her best book to date, featuring an involved and complex plot, crafted with Ms. Tepper's impeccable eye for detail, as well as her uniquely wry sense of humour and wit - to say nothing of her sense of the bizarre! All of the book's many strands fall beautifully into place, constantly luring the reader on, whilst continually keeping one guessing.As always, there is the deep, dark secret - alluded to throughout but kept carefully concealed until the end. And naturally, there are the usual shocks and jolts for the reader along the way, too. Indeed, she manages to keep the surprises coming right through to the very last page, this time. This book may make you mad, or it may make you weep, and even at times laugh, but ultimately its true worth is like that of the special pool it features: impossible to pass through without being altered forever. Highly recommended, whether you're an established Tepper fan or just looking for a cracking read.

This book is long, with complex characters, confusing story lines, and I could not put it down. Tepper creates a multi-faceted world with well-developed characters. She plays with gender. She explores ethical, cultural, sociological, and political issues. It is a wondrous book.I have just recently discovered Sheri Tepper - she is a wonderfully creative, imaginative, good writer. I am ordering all her books.

After a less-than-superb detour into eco-fiction with "Family Tree" Sheri returns to her science fiction roots with "Six Moon Dance." It has a suitably complicated plot with interestingly interwined characters,a topsy-turvey social structure and plenty of Sheri's surprises. This novel will please longtime Tepper readers. I believe it's her best effort since "Grass."