#212 Mary Gentle: Ancient Light

[bellinghman]

Mary Gentle: Ancient Light

Paperback: 736 pages
Publisher: Gollancz; New Ed edition (28 Nov 1996)
ISBN-10: 0575601124
ISBN-13: 978-0575601123
Category(ies): SF

Back in June 2007, I reviewed Golden Witchbreed, which sparked a bit of a debate.
Immediately afterwards I read this book, but somehow neglected to note it.

It's a decade later, and Lynne de Lisle Christie is back on Carrick V, but this time, she's with a big corporation, not with the diplomats and envoys. She's basically there to help the company exploit the natives, but while everything goes to pot, she somehow can't quite forget her original instincts.

The fascinating thing about this one is the contrast with the first one. We've got the same central character, but she's much more cynical, and this does seem to split readers. But I liked it.

Comments

[sierra-le-oli.livejournal.com]

I also liked it but if I read it again, I would stop before that wretched ending.

[sshi.livejournal.com]

What put me of was that and the sheer unlikeliness of humans being anatomically compatible with aliens...

[bellinghman.livejournal.com]

Well, yes.

Though having said that, humans seem to be sexually compatible with a large range of creatures, ranging from chickens to horses, and even members of their own sex, so humanoid aliens may not be that much of a problem. Not if they're prepared to get inventive.

[sierra-le-oli.livejournal.com]

and the sheer unlikeliness of humans being anatomically compatible with aliens...

That's such a well-established conceit that I'm happy to live with it for the sake of the story.