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Summary: one of the most creative books I've read in a long time.
Review: This book is one of the most creative and imaginative books I've read in a long time. The world of the Yilane is so well-constructed it feels real and convincing. The living cities of the Yilane are astoundingly described and constructed. The Yilane language itself is an act of considerable imagination. Harrison's prose style is not especially good and his characters, especially his human characters, seem a little flat, but his world makes up for it.
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Summary: A great alternative history book!
Review: This book so touched me, that 14 years ago I named my Golden Retriever puppy Vainte. This has given me ample opputunity to tell people about this great stoy every time people ask me about my dog's name. If they are not satisfied that she was Queen of the Lizard people, I get to go into the details of the Yilane. I loved the idea of using biology/mutations as the basis for their "tools". Fish for boats, massive hollowed out trees for home.Writing this review as inspired me to go back and read the trilogy again!
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Summary: An impressive work
Review: This series is similar to the Helliconia trilogy by Brian Aldiss is that the ecology and social systems are richly described and biologically consistent. It has a good story and becomes compelling once the reader has a grasp of the needs driving both species (survival & destruction of the other species, whether Tanu or Murgu). Has anyone else noticed a striking similarity between the Yilane and the Creature from the Black Lagoon? It wasn't until they were sailing up the Amazon that fell into place for me. Try reading the books the watching the movie.
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Summary: Good, but needed to be longer
Review: West of Eden is a worthwhile read, as are all of Harrison's extrapolative histories. Unfortunately, it's begging for more detail: we briefly encounter a stone-age human culture that has domesticated the saber-tooth tiger, but never really get to know them or the intricacies of their culture; another culture domesticates and essentially worships mastadons, but we don't know why; despite extensive appendicies, we never reall y understand the genetic science of the Vilani. The clash of cultures and impact of new technologies and ideas on static societies are well-explored here, but were done better in his the Hammer and the Cross trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but needed to be longer
Review: West of Eden is a worthwhile read, as are all of Harrison's extrapolative histories. Unfortunately, it's begging for more detail: we briefly encounter a stone-age human culture that has domesticated the saber-tooth tiger, but never really get to know them or the intricacies of their culture; another culture domesticates and essentially worships mastadons, but we don't know why; despite extensive appendicies, we never reall y understand the genetic science of the Vilani. The clash of cultures and impact of new technologies and ideas on static societies are well-explored here, but were done better in his the Hammer and the Cross trilogy.
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Summary: What if dinosaurs had developed intellegence?
Review: What if the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs had never hit? Would they eventually become extinct anyway, or would one species become intellegent? Harry Harrison suggests what the world might have been like had the latter come to pass - his intellegent dinosaurs are the dominant species over most of the planet (Eurasia, it's implied). Meanwhile, intellegent mammals (i.e. humans, at the pre-Columbus America level of technology) have arisen in the Americas. The coming of an ice age drives these two intellegences towards each other, and this book is the first tale of their battle for supremacy. The dinosaurs (Yilane) have an interesting technology, based entirely on genetic engineering (and the book was written before it was such a hot topic). Fire is unknown to them (having evolved/lived in tropical rainforests), as is all the associated technology (metallurgy, etc.). Their weapons, houses, even grooming tools are all animals especially bred for these purposes. The Yilane technology, mating habits, social order, and language are very well described and an interesting creation. Most of this is revealed through the eyes of Kerrick, a young boy captured and raised as a Yilane. He is eventually rescued by a hunter-gatherer band of humans and must relearn his roots. The second half of the book revolves around the now adult Kerrick leading the humans in battle against the Yilane. This consists of collecting allies amongst the other tribes, puntuated by short, violent confrontations with the Yilane army. In general the book is well written, and as mentioned, the Yilane are fascinating creations, as are the human tribes and their customs. Unfortunately, the Yilane seem to exist mostly as the enemy of the humans - you never learn to sympathise with them and openly root for the humans. It's interesting to note the similarities to the Vietnam War - presumably it's deliberate. The Yilane are a centralised, technologically advanced group, with control of the air (they have "spy birds"); they depend on their superior weapons to allow them to invade the human territory. The humans, on the other hand, are much like the Viet Cong - highly mobile, skilled in camoflage, controlling the night, and fighting for their traditional lands. This book can be read either as the beginning of the series (there are two sequels) or as a stand-alone. Unfortunately, having read and enjoyed this first book, I have little desire to read the subsequent novels. Perhaps I just don't like these semi-prehistoric stories, or perhaps it's because I don't care for/about the Yilane.
Rating:
Summary: What if dinosaurs had developed intellegence?
Review: What if the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaurs had never hit? Would they eventually become extinct anyway, or would one species become intellegent? Harry Harrison suggests what the world might have been like had the latter come to pass - his intellegent dinosaurs are the dominant species over most of the planet (Eurasia, it's implied). Meanwhile, intellegent mammals (i.e. humans, at the pre-Columbus America level of technology) have arisen in the Americas. The coming of an ice age drives these two intellegences towards each other, and this book is the first tale of their battle for supremacy. The dinosaurs (Yilane) have an interesting technology, based entirely on genetic engineering (and the book was written before it was such a hot topic). Fire is unknown to them (having evolved/lived in tropical rainforests), as is all the associated technology (metallurgy, etc.). Their weapons, houses, even grooming tools are all animals especially bred for these purposes. The Yilane technology, mating habits, social order, and language are very well described and an interesting creation. Most of this is revealed through the eyes of Kerrick, a young boy captured and raised as a Yilane. He is eventually rescued by a hunter-gatherer band of humans and must relearn his roots. The second half of the book revolves around the now adult Kerrick leading the humans in battle against the Yilane. This consists of collecting allies amongst the other tribes, puntuated by short, violent confrontations with the Yilane army. In general the book is well written, and as mentioned, the Yilane are fascinating creations, as are the human tribes and their customs. Unfortunately, the Yilane seem to exist mostly as the enemy of the humans - you never learn to sympathise with them and openly root for the humans. It's interesting to note the similarities to the Vietnam War - presumably it's deliberate. The Yilane are a centralised, technologically advanced group, with control of the air (they have "spy birds"); they depend on their superior weapons to allow them to invade the human territory. The humans, on the other hand, are much like the Viet Cong - highly mobile, skilled in camoflage, controlling the night, and fighting for their traditional lands. This book can be read either as the beginning of the series (there are two sequels) or as a stand-alone. Unfortunately, having read and enjoyed this first book, I have little desire to read the subsequent novels. Perhaps I just don't like these semi-prehistoric stories, or perhaps it's because I don't care for/about the Yilane.
Rating:
Summary: great concept novel
Review: When I bought this, I didn't have very high hopes that it would be more than fun. Afterall, Harrison wrote the Stainless Steel Rat series, which is simple swashbuckling sci fi jokes. But when I started it, I was immediately drawn in by the strength of the charaters, writing that was as beautiful as a statue, and unusually well developed concepts. His skill at plot and character development are wonderful. This is a novel about the conflict between separately evolved intellignent species, which assumes that the dinosaurs never died out in EUrope and have come to colonise the Americas. The dinosaur mind is so alien, so subtle, so cogent, that I found myself completely believing in it, from the way that they communicated in the day through color changes in their skin (disallowing them to overtly lie) to the cyclical nature of their vision of the universe (the "egg of time"). Even their science and technology are different: they grow everything, so feel connected into the web of life in their own way. Of course, the humans are well developed characters as well. This is a masterpiece of the genre of alternative histories. I am happy that it is back in print. Sci fi can be literature in the hands of a skilful writer. Warmly recomended.
Rating:
Summary: great concept novel
Review: When I bought this, I didn't have very high hopes that it would be more than fun. Afterall, Harrison wrote the Stainless Steel Rat series, which is simple swashbuckling sci fi jokes. But when I started it, I was immediately drawn in by the strength of the charaters, writing that was as beautiful as a statue, and unusually well developed concepts. His skill at plot and character development are wonderful. This is a novel about the conflict between separately evolved intellignent species, which assumes that the dinosaurs never died out in EUrope and have come to colonise the Americas. The dinosaur mind is so alien, so subtle, so cogent, that I found myself completely believing in it, from the way that they communicated in the day through color changes in their skin (disallowing them to overtly lie) to the cyclical nature of their vision of the universe (the "egg of time"). Even their science and technology are different: they grow everything, so feel connected into the web of life in their own way. Of course, the humans are well developed characters as well. This is a masterpiece of the genre of alternative histories. I am happy that it is back in print. Sci fi can be literature in the hands of a skilful writer. Warmly recomended.
Rating:
Summary: A new look at natural history that will carry you away
Review: WOW. That's all I've got to say. Well, maybe I've got a bit more to say. This is an example of speculative fiction that is truly speculative: what if the dinosaurs had not gone extinct, but instead developed into a sentient culture? Harrison answers that question in this thrilling epic that pits the dinosaurs (Yilanè in their own language) and their bio-technology against the slowly emerging, primitive humans. Harrison has expertly created an alien psychology and biology for his reptilian race, one that is a pleasure to read and explore as the book unfolds. But through the character of the human Kerrick, who was brought up amongst the Yilanè and escapes from them to later lead the human tribes into the mutually genocidal combat, Harrison also has created a wonderful story in which his science marvels can achieve their dramatic potential. This is what great hard science fiction strives for, but rarely achieves: fascinating, well-developed new science that drives a superior, emotional narrative, instead of existing for its own sake.
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