Tue 30 Nov 2004
I have enjoyed Sheri S. Tepper’s writing for a number of years. Ms. Tepper has been writing books of feminist/utopian science fiction that I’ve found quite engaging, and sometimes very memorable. Her novel Raising the Stones is a particularly interesting exploration of gender and identity, and the companion novel Sideshow (set in the same universe at a later time) is well-plotted and satisfying (and a sometimes amusing poke at the academy) [Publisher's Weekly didn't like it -- I did]. Grass is also quite good, and Tepper establishes and sustains an eerie, creepy mood throughout the book.
I have continued to pick up Tepper’s books as they come out in paperback, but I’ve noticed a definite drop off in the quality of her writing. The plotting makes less sense, the digressions seem sometimes quite pointless, and her repertoire of themes has become increasingly limited. Some friends in Indiana who also enjoy sci-fi commented on the same thing (”maybe she’s just getting old…some of her recent books were terrible!”, Jeanette said). I picked up The Companions a few weeks ago hoping the Tepper might have redeemed herself, but alas. This was the worst of the lot — at several points early in the book Tepper bafflingly changes scene in mid-page and the overall narrative is rather tortuous and confused. I have this instictive reluctance to not finish a book once I’ve started it, as it seems intellectually dishonest or at least undisciplined. However life is too short to read bad books, and I’ve started to overcome this reluctance. So I’ve put Tepper’s books aside for now.
I’m disappointed. There are not a lot of women sci-fi writers (more than there used to be, but still not enough), and I used to look forward to Tepper’s releases.
February 16th, 2005 at 9:12 am
Your review fit mine the first time I read it. I read it yesterday again, the experience was entirely different. At first, I thought she had lost it. Such an intelligent woman, reduced by age to mere babbling. It comes to us all eventually but it’s uncomfortable to see it in someone you once respected. And such was my first view. But now I see it differently - she’s still using the same old themes, making the same old points - but age has not diminished her. It has made her more subtle. There are infinite digressions in this novel, just as she’s starting to get interesting she shifts into philosophy and endless recounts of boring things you can’t care about. But they all make sense, they are all necessary.
I’ve decided that the problem with Sheri is that she is growing old. As we all do. And with age we may not find wisdom but we do find insight and understanding. She has and she has shared it with us. I often disagree with what she says, and equally often agree with it.
You see, books aren’t written to be read by everyone. By their very nature they exclude some while inviting others in. And with time what seemed silly and pointless can become passionately meaningful. So give it a few years, I did, and this book might be worthwhile. More than that even.
Khash.