Samuel R. Delany Books

On the future Earth of an indeterminate time, mankind has been reduced to living in a small coastal area clustered about the island nation of Toramon. On one side, they are bounded by ocean and on the other a radiation barrier. The government of Toramon is preparing to make war against a mysterious force that lives beyond the barrier, but it has become clear to some that the real purpose behind the proposed war is tied to the economic problems and population pressures of the kingdom. Who is living beyond the barrier and what kind of understanding can be reached with them?

This is a truly schizophrenic novel. The first two thirds are brilliant. Samuel R. Delany introduces a fascinating and complex culture. His large cast of characters is drawn from all levels of society, and he handles them very skillfully. By the end of the book, though, it seems clear that this was never intended to be a self-contained story. The questions that drive the narrative and motivate the characters are left unanswered, and events sort of peter out inconclusively. Since this is the first part of a trilogy, it is reasonable to assume that these questions will be answered later. At that time, I may revise my opinion of this book. (...)