The Starry Rift

Rating:
Summary: Not up to other Tiptree works
Review: The three stories in _The Starry Rift_ are set in the same universe as _Brightness Falls from Air_. Unfortunately, that's where the similarity ends. The tales are linked through the convention of setting them as material available in a library to researchers of the human race.

While elements of the stories were interesting, there was a layer of sentimentality I hadn't found in Tiptree's other work. I dislike obvious tear-jerkers, and particularly "The Only Neat Thing To Do" is clearly designed to get the hankies out.

There are better Tiptree stories and collections out there-- this one is for the real fan.

Rating:
Summary: Strange and stranger
Review: This book contains three short stories that take place in the same universe. The characters have nothing in common and do not know each other. The only common element is the universe -- and a mysterious library in which the stories housed. I must say that I do not like short stories. The characters are seldom fully developed and just when you think things are really getting interesting its all over. The further problem with these short stories is that they are not worth developing into a novel. They are strange. Like tightly focused episodes of the Twilight Zone I was left with an empty and ultimately sad feeling after reading them. Tiptree is not an optimist, and in these stories neither love no loyalty conquer all.

One the positive side, the prose is often lyrical. Tiptree is quite convincing writing from the point of view of a man or a teenage girl. But that may not be enough to make these stories worth the read.

Rating:
Summary: Strange and stranger
Review: This book contains three short stories that take place in the same universe. The characters have nothing in common and do not know each other. The only common element is the universe -- and a mysterious library in which the stories housed. I must say that I do not like short stories. The characters are seldom fully developed and just when you think things are really getting interesting its all over. The further problem with these short stories is that they are not worth developing into a novel. They are strange. Like tightly focused episodes of the Twilight Zone I was left with an empty and ultimately sad feeling after reading them. Tiptree is not an optimist, and in these stories neither love no loyalty conquer all.

One the positive side, the prose is often lyrical. Tiptree is quite convincing writing from the point of view of a man or a teenage girl. But that may not be enough to make these stories worth the read.