Rating: 
Summary: Let me explain myself
Review: A couple of years ago, I wrote a very unfavorable (okay, it was nasty) review of this novel for Amazon. Since then, I've gone back and re-read it, thinking that maybe my opinion would change. Well, it hasn't. But this time, I'll take the time to explain why I didn't like it, instead of ranting. What's wrong with it? Well, for one, it's not very well written, rising barely above the level of pulp novel. There's little sense of structure, a very lugubrious and convoluted plot, and the characters are only mildly interesting. Rather than creating an original villain for this story of an ecofeminist utopia, Starhawk falls back on the what has become de riguer for so many novels in the New Age genre: fundamentalist Christians. What is most ironic, however, is that while she makes a valid point--that some people have taken their religious beliefs to extraordinary--and sometimes hateful--extremes, her characters often follow the same patterns. The idea of tolerance, so often trumpeted in this novel, does not apply: sure, the fundamentalists are bigoted sexists who don't tolerate difference, but the same holds true for the main characters. There's a sense that their supposedly enlightened beliefs are the ONLY way, and that differing opinions are somehow wrong...which is like the pot calling the kettle black. There are elements of sexism in the plot, in that men are essentially second-class citizens, peripheral characters at best, and definitely underdeveloped. I have no problems with strong female characters in lead roles, but not at the outright subversion of an entire gender. One gets the impression that the men featured in the story--on both sides--are supposed to speak for men in general. If that's the case, then why are they so underdeveloped? True, this is supposed to be a fable about a woman's utopia, an ecofeminist paradise, but why repay one wrong (women for years as second-class citizens) with another (men in the same position). Is this supposed to be enlightenment? What I know of Wicca and neopaganism is that equality of the sexes is of prime importance to their adherents; what about here? My main issue with Starhawk is how she pays lip-service to equality in the novel's many polemics (she often editorializes through her characters) but does not apply it to everyone in her book. I have no problem with her personal beliefs (it's a free country, folks; she can worship roosters for all I care), but I do have a problem with how so many people sanctify this novel as a work of art. I'm glad it addresses women's spirituality (until recently, a sadly neglected subject, as my wife will tell you) but I think this poorly written novel is hardly the place for its expression.
Rating: 
Summary: Still my favorite book.
Review: As in her usual excellance in making the printed word come alive! I have reread it several times since I bought & have given it as a gift too. Great story line w/ very easy to relate to people in it. I own many of StarHawks how to, Witch books also. As a 3rd degree initiated Recaiming trad.High Priestess w/ 23 years on path. I feel that I am qualified to give this review.
Rating: 
Summary: A good read but for a cynic...
Review: I admit, I wouldn't have picked up the book if I'd realised Starhawk was the name of the author, not part of the title. But I like Zimmer Bradley, and the blurb was good. I enjoyed reading The Fifth Sacred Thing. It was a well-thought out, realized world - though only San Francisco was truly vivid. Maya, Madrone and Bird are great characters and none of the spiritual/magical explanations were added on; everything was tied into the plot. However, based on all these reviews, I'd say read The Fifth Sacred Thing if you do believe in wicca, in ley lines and crystals. If you don't, like me, you'll find a well written, enjoyable but in the end - too much Californian sunshine solving every problem, peace and love win, the big bad Corporation and Army defeated. The book is a little too much political fantasy without enough reality. The Wild Boar people are happy to stay away from the water and food-rich City? The Corporation only drugs their pen-raised soldiers with immune-enhancers not serious drugs? And the only bad apple in the entire place seems to be Cress rabbitting on. Read it, but go for harder stuff if you're cynical like me. If you're not, well, you're much happier than me, and you'll enjoy the book a lot.
Rating:
Summary: Unbelievable at best
Review: I have to agree with the first review. The novel contains vital messages of ecological sustainability, gender equality, and intriguing use of "supernormal" human abilities in everyday life as the next stage of human society's evolution; however, while this would be a great book for a 12-18 year old, adult readers may find both the writing style and the story to be cliched and clumsy. It's ultimately ground that Mercedes Lackey covers far more skillfully in her "Oathbreakers" and "Heralds of Valdemar" novels. I was deeply disappointed with this work and donated my copy to goodwill. I hear that Starhawk's non-fiction is much better, and I'll keep an open.
Rating:
Summary: Pagans, ecologists, feminists...you'll love this Utopia
Review: I just got done reading this book and I was crying for the last 15 pages! Unlike many cynics out there, I do believe the reality this book proposes is a possibility, and there are people who already live the Good Reality version in tiny communes...the key, as pointed out in the book, is to limit the complexity. Starhawk's vision of social communism works well in very small, self-governing societies...they bigger it gets, the more "Cress"'s (a character from the book) you get. Imagine many small communities like the one in the book, all going after, or at least systematically fending themselves off from "The Man," and who knows? As Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."
Rating:
Summary: Gandhi would have loved Starhawk
Review: I love this book. I didn't like it at first, but I decided to give it an hour before I made up my mind. Now I am really glad I stuck with it, because it is one of the richest, most thought-provoking books I have ever read.
One of the greatest questions is - how do people resist the violent advances of others without becoming violent themselves? We can look to others for inspiration - HH the Dalai Lama, Gandhi, MLK - there have been a few who have managed to hold on to their ideals despite the crimes inflicted upon them. But how do we do this ourselves? How do we maintain peace within ourselves?
This book discusses these issues on a societal level, but the wisdom you will gain can be applied on a personal level. You will likely find yourself rethinking how you view numerous things - from illness to monogamy.
And the story is interesting and creative, with characters you will come to care about. This is a fantastic book. Go ahead and give it some time - you will probably love it, too!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Tale of the Struggle To Reclaim and Heal the Earth
Review: I LOVED this book! I just bought a place up in the high Sierras which I plan to move to soon (from Silicon Valley, hurray!), and this book was the first item that I lovingly placed on the bookshelf there. Starhawk's take on the state of the world reflects mine, and her vision of the future, unless we all reclaim and protect the elements from mankind's destruction and greed, is truly believable. The only thing that really stretched my imagination was the bee/honey thread in the story, but it was very unique, and valid in the context of what magic and a good, loving heart can achieve when a true connection to the Web of Life is present. I wish everyone would read this book!
Rating:
Summary: Engaging story of eco-utopia against fascist state
Review: I, too had this book on my shelf for several years before I actually read it. Although it obviously sounded good enough at the time I bought it, I feared that it would be preachy and overbearing. It was nothing of the sort. The characters are complex; flawed at times, saintly at others. The story is compelling, combining plots about the personal growth of the various characters, adventure stories as Bird escapes from prison and Madrone ventures into the southern wilds to help the freedom fighters, and the ultimate show down between the San Franciscans and the Stewards. It is a bit simplistic, perhaps, but that didn't stop me from wishing things in reality were more like they are in Maya and Madrone's world. The attempts to portray this world as one free of any racial or sexual bigotry do get a bit heavy handed at times, but never so much that it interfered with my enjoyment of the story. I would recommend this book to anyone, and in fact immediately after I finished ran out and bought a copy to give as a gift this Christmas.
Rating:
Summary: Only a Change in Consciousness will Change Society
Review: Over the last few years I've reread this book time and time again and always find it as deeply moving and inspiring as the first time I read it. Periodically, I buy this book for friends and when I do, I come back to this page and read the reviews. I can't help but feel that many reviewers have missed the point. The reason this book is so remarkable is that it deals with a human truth so fundamental as to often be missed: You can't change society until you transform human consciousness. No legislation, no religious movement, no self-help group, no philosophy is going to do it. Only each individual human being learning how to be aware, to find their own unique spiritual expression, to practice tolerance of the lifestyles and the spiritual belief systems of others will make a fundamental difference. When each individual person knows the earth is sacred in a personal and experiential way and intimate way because they have taken the time to BE with the world, only then will we truly find ways to preserve and protect it. In the San Francisco portrayed in this novel, no child goes unnurtured or uneducated, no one goes hungry, no person is without a home. It's a sad situation when we have to think of this state of affairs as "science fiction." Almost every person who falls between the cracks in our society starts out in life with a family and a community. Perhaps we can't help everyone, but if each person just did what was in front of him or her to do, there would be less suffering in the world. The building of solid community and healthy inter-dependence is another key to this novel. We live isolated lives but, truly, we need each other. We are stronger when we are connected with others. There is a verse in the Bible that says, "A people without a vision perish." This book provides a vision, a starting point that is valuable and practical and useful. Let's keep in mind that the author is a social activist who has been on the front lines and has faced some of the most deeply rooted and troubling issues of our time. I hardly see Starhawk as being an idealist, nor this book just being an idealist's dream.
Rating:
Summary: Paradise - And the Price We May Have to Pay
Review: Starhawk starts out giving us an amazingly Utopian Wiccan vision of the future in San Francisco, a place that while it seems Wicca has "won out," other religions are respected as well. When I am down I read the first chapter of this book to bring me back up again. Arrayed against this oasis of sanity Starhawk gives us an Evil General bent of invasion and destruction of this wonderful place. If the book has a fault its that most of the "bad guys" remain somewhat cardboard. It seems that Starhawk has concentrated her efforts on that she knows best. Having said that, the author pulls no punches. While the book starts out Utopian and peaceful the price that is paid for that oasis is anything but. Real people, the good people we care about (and the people who Starhawk seems to concentrate her character abilities on) pay a heavy price to keep and defend their way of life. Its a good reminder that good may triumph over evil only if good works at it real hard. The Fifth Sacred Thing is a fairy tale with teeth. If you are a fan of Starhawk's non-fiction books then you must read this one to see how she sees her real-life ideas put into practice. I'd also recommend it as a book for Wiccans to give to their friends as a tale of how Wiccan morality can work well.
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