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Conference noted::sf

Title:Arcana Caelestia
Notice:Directory listings are in topic 2
Moderator:NETRIX::thomas
Created:Thu Dec 08 1983
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1300
Total number of notes:18728

231.0. "Jane Yolen: CARDS OF GRIEF" by RHETT::JELICH () Thu Jul 11 1985 00:21

This is a review of the above mentioned book.

Jane Yolen wrote this story as those it was spoken by a story teller to his 
audience.  It has a rhythm to it that suits an oral reading.  It is pleasant 
to listen to.

Now for the story itself:  Her characterizations come through by the words her 
characters choose and the way they present them to the listener.  Any 
descriptions of the world come from each character's tale. (This is a world of 
seven species of humanoids which can interbreed.  Each specie fits into a 
different ecological niche - the hunters, the fishers, the farmers, etc.  Now 
enters Earthmen.).

This is a basically simple storyline of a "primitive" society being observed 
by visitors who eventually make their presence known (which naturally affects 
the society).  But Jane's method of presentation makes this a book worth 
reading (and very enjoyable).

Beth
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231.1WILLIE::CANNOYThu Jul 11 1985 16:068
I enjoyed _Cards_of_Grief_ very much, also. It was very lyrical and haunting.
One of Jane's strengths is her mastery of lanquage. She used this very subtly
to get the alien viewpont across.

For some reason, I found this reminiscent of LeGuin's earlier work, 
_Rocannon's_World_ and _Left_Hand_of_Darkness.

Tamzen