Rating: 
Summary: A vision that works on many levels
Review: This is a fantastic book! I read it in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down. It is not an anti-male, if-only-women-were-in-charge-there-would-be-no-war book. It's a lot deeper than that, so try thinking beyond the surface when you read it. Through the seemingly-innocent dialogue, Tepper cleverly reveals not only the properties of the world she has created, but also the properties of our own world. Her neat reversal of which gender is perceived as the "normal," "default" human points out all the invisible places where women are seen as different, deviant, and non-standard in today's society. Most significantly, Tepper does not create a utopia where women are in charge, and everyone is happy (can't you just picture the birds singing, the flowers growing...?-- there is none of this). This is *not* a perfect world, nor is it completely stable. It is fascinating to get a glimpse of a *well-thought-out* world in which women play a much more powerful role. It's much better than the unrealistic and wishful creations of other feminist authors. I highly recommend this book, especially to young women and men of all ages, the two groups that benefit the most from seeing powerful women.
Rating: 
Summary: A strong "woman message" without being feminist
Review: I enjoyed this book a great deal. it was the first tepper book that I had read, and made me look forward to other novels from this imaginative lady. I believe it gives something to think about, it revolves revolves around religion rather than gender and the traditional patriach beliefs that religion perpetuates. It suggests that violence is not the future of man and hooray for that!. This is the first book of many that I intend to read from Ms. Tepper.
Rating:
Summary: Look beyond the obvious!
Review: The people who have criticized the concepts in this book are barely skimming the surface! And I have to wonder what world they are living in - because in this one, the men most definitely hold the vast majority of power, and they do so with (failing all else) brute force. First off, this book does NOT say that men are inherently violent. It says that they are TAUGHT to be violent, which is absolutely true. The indoctrination of the young boys in this book is pretty much the way the military functions in real life (yes, I know that for a fact). The men are not one-dimensional at all - I have met many, many men who are just the same as Michael and his cohorts. Like it or not, these characters ARE true to life. That IS the way these people think, speak and act.Overall, the book's message is that when we are young, little boys are every bit as tender, sweet, sensitive and caring as little girls. But as we grow older, boys are literally indoctrinated into violence, war, aggression, sexism, etc. The sad thing is it need not be that way. They are lured by, as in the book, promises of things called "glory" and "honor", and made cruel and afraid by threats of peer rejection. Let's hope it never comes to sexual separatism, but if it comes right down to it I'd rather live in a peaceful women's country than a brutal, loveless mixed one. Blessed Be!
Rating:
Summary: An amazing book - a must read for all women (and some men)
Review: My Aunt gave me a copy of this book a few years ago. I read it, liked it and forgot it. As I was going through some boxes after a recent move, I discovered my paperback and immediately began reading it again.
After we have managed to drop enough atom bombs to cover the earth in desolate sretches of radioactive wasteland, the survivors have seeked out a patch of earth that is livable - Women's Country. In women's country, a society governed by women lives inside the city walls, while the men who choose to be warriors live outside the walls, protecting the city. A fascinating entanglement of secret activities led by the all-women council weave a web of amazing strength and ultimately, the perfect society and culture without war. The Gate to Women's Country is complex, jumping between two different times, chronicling the life of a woman and the people around her while at the same time dropping hints about the secrets held by the council. The end of the book reveals all and leaves you with some very deep thoughts to ponder... Definitely a wonderful way to spend three hours.
Rating:
Summary: It will focus you on what is truly important to life.
Review: In the last fifty years, American women have lost skills which women throughout the world have had for generations. This book reminds us of the importance of keeping basic life skills no matter how advanced our technology becomes.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most read books in my library
Review: Having stumbled on "Gate" almost 10 years ago, I have since read it 4 times and recommended it to countless friends and even strangers! My daughter read it for the first time at 14 (and several times afterwards)and I believe it explained to her better than I ever could just how difficult it is to be a young woman (or man) and how you need to protect yourself as best you can, emotionally and physically. The entire premise hits me in the gut every time I read it. The women may be making 'man-like' decisions about their world, but then, why not imagine what it would be like if we actually COULD control our destiny? I do not think Tepper places women above men, I think she is brutally honest about what is noble and stupid and heroic in both sexes... One of the most beautiful images in the book appears near the end, having to do with holding the moon. Grass, Raising the Stones, Beauty, I reccommend all...
Rating:
Summary: Disturbing, beautiful - and NOT anti-men!
Review: I was amazed at some of the reviews I read for this book. I read this book (the first time..I've read it 5-6 times so far)all in one day - staying up all night. I then recommended it to my mother - who is not a fantasy/sci-fi fan- who loved it, and passed it on to my sister, and two aunts - all of whom are intelligent, open-minded women, and not man-haters!! For those who said it was anti-man, did you somehow skip the sections with the servitors (who, underneath the scenery were equal to the women)??? This book should be taught with The Handmaid's Tale in h.s. and college literature classes - not to show how evil men are, but how violence can overpower any society, often (but not always) with women paying the higher price.
Rating:
Summary: A science-fiction classic
Review: "The gate to women's country" is the sort of science fiction novel that would be suitable for discussion in a high-school or college English class, while at the same time maintaining a wide appeal to readers in general. The novel examines relationships between men and women, and between family members. Set in a post-holocaust world, with well-rounded and believable characters, its mood ranges from wry wit to deep sorrow, to fury, with a wide spectrum in between. While some readers may take issue with the premises of this novel (I for one would not like to see the world of "The gate to women's country" become social reality), it is certainly one of the best around for initiating discussion and debate. Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: it sucked
Review: I'm not the least cynical of females, but even I was rather apalled at the way men were presented in this book. This book was just brutal. A lot of the violence was disgusting and unecessary. How is the author going to pretend that women are not beasts, just like men? We're all animals when it comes down to it.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous -- loved it, and my book group did too!
Review: This book was science fiction, but VERY believable -- you could see it as a possibility for the future! Showed women with intellect and strength of character and conviction.... Makes me want to read more of Tepper.
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