Rating: Summary: Speculative fiction at its best Review: I read this book for the first time at the tender age of 16. Eight years later, I have probably read it at least eight more times, and each time, it is more disturbing, more absorbing, more amazing. Tepper has a canny ability to create worlds that are completely real when we are submerged in them, and completely bizarre when we emerge.Some of your reviewers are horrified at the ideas that are expressed as commonplaces in Tepper's world: genetic selection, emotional manipulation, government secrecy. What is more horrifying to me is the idea that these ideas would be ignored or banned. Although I, too, am disturbed by the prevailing ethos of Women's Country, as a woman, I can feel an eerie attraction to it. That fact, in itself, says a lot about the "real world" and its attitudes toward women.
Rating: Summary: Excellent, clever,well-written women's view of world! Review: This is very well-written; clever metaphorical view of violence in the world, and one 'future's' way of managing violent men. It is not, however, at all 'male-bashing', since there are other well-loved, treasured men in the book; but violence is cleverly managed out of civilized life. It is interesting to me that there is no term for 'female-bashing' though it is so much more prevalent in our own society.
Rating: Summary: Somewhat disturbing, but worth reading Review: i did not expect to like this book as much as i did. my friend told me about it and ruined the surprise ending but i decided to read it anyway. although only a handful of the characters have any complexity, the society in the book is interesting and a bit frightening. while reading i could not tell if the author believes this is an improvement to the current state of affairs and is blind to the nazi-like elements in her world, or if she was just presenting it for what it is, a thought-provoking hypothetical society run by women. although the anti-male elements were disturbing, they are no worse than the rampant anti-female themes that run rampant throughout mainstream sci-fi. definitely worth reading
Rating: Summary: This novel is based on the extrapolation of nuclear warfare. Review: I particulaty did not like the book because it seemed too drawn out in comparison to the ending of the story. The plan devised by the women's council was quite witty. But, the book took too long to get to the main point of the story.
Rating: Summary: Just goes to show... Review: ...us women can't write. Show me one book written by a woman that isn't pretty much just like this one, and I'll read it this very day! Just another book about romance, family crap and male bashing that every woman has to seem to need to write about under the guise of a "much deeper plot" Ha, it is terrible!
Rating: Summary: Evil Feminist Paradise Review: Despite the denials of the women who reviewed this book, it's simply a pipe dream for the modern N.O.W. feminist: women are in control. They have all the power, and little responsibility. Men either serve the women as slaves or protect the women as soldiers living outside the towns in garrisons. "The soldiers only *think* they're in control," the women snicker. It's a sappy, predictable journey through a world where no woman can ever be wrong, a feast of feminist selfishness and self-serving logic, a home for every woman who's ever hated men for being strong. So many women have written reviews praising this book, unable to understand how anyone could think it's anti-men. What these women fail to consider is that men are justly proud of their protective nature, and rightly consider their military service holy. Men will find Tepper's exploitation of their self-sacrifice as completely vile. It's too bad so many women fail to recognize true male virtue, and choose instead to wipe their feet on it. Still, I gave Tepper 2 stars for her effort in developing a complete post-apocolyptic world. Guys, if you see this book on a woman's bookshelf, run -- do not walk -- to the nearest exit.
Rating: Summary: Slightly tarnished brilliance Review: I happened to read Gate to Women's Country in between Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale and LeGuin's The Left Hand of Darkness. Call it the SF equivalent of a consciousness-raising! 8 years and two re-readings later, it's increasingly hard for me to swallow the premise that women are inherently more peaceful than men. Despite that, Tepper still does one of the best jobs of creating a whole new universe that I swallow hook line and sinker every time. Every one of her books is a joy to read.
Rating: Summary: Excellent Reading - Encouragement to take Control Review: Looking for Science fiction books I read several online reviews here, including "The Gate to Women's Country". From "Hitlerian" to "Destined for Timeless Greatness" - that controversial point of views made me curious - so I decided to buy it. What a book! The idea to retell an ancient greek play from a woman's perspective and building thus the historical background for what's going on in women's country is catching. The book is polemic, but it takes the side of women! If you have been betrayed or feel used by a man - you will be able to act out all your emotions against him or them... BTW - men have a very good choice in this book... It is an encourageing and revealing read for every women and I strongly advise men as well to read it and make their decision whether they want cross the gate ... They will not regret it.
Rating: Summary: Ultimately an offesive book. Review: Humans are not animals. To suggest that they should be bred like animals is truly offensive. If this had portrayed women as it does men, there would have been a cry heard throughout the land. That there wasn' t is very sad. No one, male or female, should be allowed to take such a fascist stand and remain unciticized. And considering Tepper usually does a good job, this book is quite a disappointment. Please, Ms. Tepper, no more Hitlerian anti-male tirades.
Rating: Summary: We should try this method of reducing violence. Review: After having read this book, I felt a pang of regret that I had borne a son to a military man, the type exemplified in this book. Have I perpetuated the type? Should I have chosen a gentler man? I did what I could with nurture but who knows what nature will produce? This type of breeding DOES work on other animals; there's no reason it can't work on humans. Never too late to try
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