The Companions (Gollancz) - Rambling Readers

Paperback, 464 pages

Published March 10, 2005 by Gollancz, Orion Publishing Group, Limited.

ISBN:: 978-0-575-07628-0
OCLC Number:: 59204462

(2 reviews)

Three planets in deep space were named by their human discoverers to reflect their environments: lush and foreboding Jungle, which swallowed up an exploratory team; Stone, phenomenally rich in rare ore; and Moss, the most enigmatic -- and dangerous -- of the trio.Joining her half-brother Paul, the famed linguist, on a two-person scientific expedition, Jewel Delis has come to Moss to observe the phenomenon of dancing light and to help decipher the strange musical "language" that accompanies it. But there are other mysteries alive on this exotic world covered in ever-shifting vegetation -- and something more than illuminations has enticed her away from a disastrously overpopulated homeworld to seek answers at the universe's unexplored edge. For Jewel herself is a question mark with a radical agenda that will put her at perilous odds with her planet's ruling powers -- and with the inscrutable alien races she encounters -- as she …

Three planets in deep space were named by their human discoverers to reflect their environments: lush and foreboding Jungle, which swallowed up an exploratory team; Stone, phenomenally rich in rare ore; and Moss, the most enigmatic -- and dangerous -- of the trio.Joining her half-brother Paul, the famed linguist, on a two-person scientific expedition, Jewel Delis has come to Moss to observe the phenomenon of dancing light and to help decipher the strange musical "language" that accompanies it. But there are other mysteries alive on this exotic world covered in ever-shifting vegetation -- and something more than illuminations has enticed her away from a disastrously overpopulated homeworld to seek answers at the universe's unexplored edge. For Jewel herself is a question mark with a radical agenda that will put her at perilous odds with her planet's ruling powers -- and with the inscrutable alien races she encounters -- as she risks all for justice for the endangered beasts of the Earth.

6 editions

Leaf 🍂 reviewed The Companions (Gollancz) by Sheri S. Tepper

Review of 'The Companions (Gollancz)' on 'Storygraph'

4 stars

'The Companions' is a difficult one to rate. Tepper uses language beautifully, playfully, and her worlds are incredibly intricate and inventive. Her characters are dimensional and believable, their tribulations very relatable.
To a point.
I'm disappointed that in all the many works she built in this book, religions, genders, and gender roles are almost identical. Except with the Tharstians, who we only hear about and don't see directly.
Too, I felt the first 3/4 of the book was the strongest. The build up, the tension...masterfully done. I felt emotional about Jewel's situation. I would probably have rated the novel 5 stars if it had continued like that. But the last 1/4 or so seemed rushed, lacking detail or impact. The language became noticeably less florid and more like a travelogue. I was actually angry that I wasn't given a chance to feel sorrow when the characters are parted. It rushed …

'The Companions' is a difficult one to rate. Tepper uses language beautifully, playfully, and her worlds are incredibly intricate and inventive. Her characters are dimensional and believable, their tribulations very relatable.
To a point.
I'm disappointed that in all the many works she built in this book, religions, genders, and gender roles are almost identical. Except with the Tharstians, who we only hear about and don't see directly.
Too, I felt the first 3/4 of the book was the strongest. The build up, the tension...masterfully done. I felt emotional about Jewel's situation. I would probably have rated the novel 5 stars if it had continued like that. But the last 1/4 or so seemed rushed, lacking detail or impact. The language became noticeably less florid and more like a travelogue. I was actually angry that I wasn't given a chance to feel sorrow when the characters are parted. It rushed by too fast.

So, recommended with slight reservations. Make sure you savor the first section, and finish the last all in one gulp to get it done with.

Jon PENNYCOOK

rated it

Feb. 29, 2008

Subjects

Science Fiction