Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Publication
Doubleday (1991), 283 pages
Description
Elizabeth Ann Scarborough--winner of a Nebula Award for her novel The Healer's War, which was based on her experiences as a nurse in Vietnam--returns with a stunning tale about a prisoner-of-war camp set in the next century.
User reviews
LibraryThing member DinadansFriend
This is an adequate novel with no great acts of skill to attract me to read further works by Scarborough. The perpetual warfare state, now looming as a possibility for all of us North Americans, is not very well done, nor is the eventual outcome pleasing.
LibraryThing member juniperSun
I had greatly enjoyed Scarborough's "Healer's War" years ago, glad to come across another of her books. I'll have to start actively searching for her. Both books actually have a similar theme.
I like reading books which bring other dimensions into the story, especially around healing (tho that was
Most of the story dealt with prisoners of war, and their guards. Not, in itself, very thrilling and prone to sterotyping. Now that I reflect, I didn't really like Viveka spouting back prisoner attitudes after she had developed more awareness of what was going on. It just seemed so out of character.
I noticed the resemblance to James Hilton's Shangri-la and appreciated Scarborough acknowledging it even tho it meant, once again, Viveka had happened to read some obscure book before these events.
I didn't believe the acid snow at the end, she should have left the effects just with the time warp. The ending was a bit rushed, summarizing people's lives. I guess that's when Scarborough realized she'd need to do a sequel.
I like reading books which bring other dimensions into the story, especially around healing (tho that was
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not a major part of the book). While the Tibetan traditions weren't given much explicit attention, Viveka, under stress, became awareness of an undercurrent of chanting which helped her cope. I see there is a sequel and think that the traditions may be more prominent (unless there is internal dissension among the inhabitants for a story line, also highly likely).Most of the story dealt with prisoners of war, and their guards. Not, in itself, very thrilling and prone to sterotyping. Now that I reflect, I didn't really like Viveka spouting back prisoner attitudes after she had developed more awareness of what was going on. It just seemed so out of character.
I noticed the resemblance to James Hilton's Shangri-la and appreciated Scarborough acknowledging it even tho it meant, once again, Viveka had happened to read some obscure book before these events.
I didn't believe the acid snow at the end, she should have left the effects just with the time warp. The ending was a bit rushed, summarizing people's lives. I guess that's when Scarborough realized she'd need to do a sequel.
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Original publication date
1991
Physical description
283 p.; 8.3 inches