Starhawk is probably better known for her
non-fiction books about pagan spirituality, (in particular
The Spiral Dance)
however, in this book, she proves that she can write an
interesting novel as well.
The plot of this book revolves around a conflict between a future
pagan (and polyamorous) society (in Northern California) and a militaristic regime
partially based in Southern California that holds much of its power
through control over food and water. Starting from this point,
it would have been easy to write a bad book that played too strongly
the analogy to present-day water wars in California, or to turn it
into a regligous tract (my long-distant and possibly flawed memory
of
2150 A.D. falls into this category). Starhawk does neither,
putting together interesting and not too unreasonable plot turns,
decent character development, and ends up with an interesting book.
The treatment of the polyamorous relationships of the main characters
to me is done particularly nicely, without turning it into a
sales pitch.
(NOTES: Starhawk has written a sequel to this book which
I haven't yet read,
entitled
Walking to Mercury.)
Tara (tara3@sprint.ca) rates this book a
9 (Truly Delightful) and says:
Got it! Love it! Definitely a book to read again and again! And Walking to Mercury is also
wonderful! Maya is a fabulous character full of life power and love!
An Anonymous Reader rates this book a
9 (Truly Delightful) and says:
This is one of the best novels I have ever read.
It changed my life and the way I think about the world and what it
could be.
I am currently reading it for the second time and still learning from it.
An Anonymous Reader rates this book a
8 (Excellent) and says:
I loved The Fifth Sacred Thing......the characters were fascinating, the plot intriguing an
and the philosophy .....well..... so hopeful and accepting....I'd love to live in Madrone's world. I
read this book when it came out and again last month for my book club (I suggested that we read
it)....next week we'll meet.....I'm sure the group will appreciate StarHawk's vision and solutions to
world problems.
Juniper rates this book a
9 (Truly Delightful) and says:
This book is a passionate representation of what our world could be
like, good or bad, and what it takes to get to there. A must read!!!
Tylor (brassmunki@hotmail.com) rates this book a
10 (Best Book Available on the Subject) and says:
The Fifth Sacred Thing is the kind of book that you can't wait to finish,
but once you're done, you wish you were still reading it.
I read it about a year ago, and just finish the prequel 'Walking to Mercury.'
Both books are incredibly realistic, identifiable and insightful.
A book of this sort with such a multitude of followers gives me more hope about
the future of the Earth. But I warn, do not read it with a closed mind or you
will be in for a very large shock.
Six-Dinner Sid is a happy cat that has six families in his life, none of who know about each other. He gets six dinners, he has six places to sleep, he's a happy cat, until...
The drawings are beautiful, and the book appeals to children and adults well. And, from a poly person's perspective, the story, and the unusual and happy ending, all have a special resonance.
Mary rates this book a
10 (Best Book Available on the Subject) and says:
As a collector of children's literature, and as a person who hates preachy books or obvious lessons, I find Six-Dinner Sid to be delightful and fun, with a positive poly message that's neither shoved down the reader's throat nor obscured.
There is a Joker in Buckingham Palace, and
while at first his (or her?) practical jokes seem funny, soon
they take on a life of their own. Princess Louise is not only
faced with this mystery, but another: what exactly is the
relationship between her father the King, her mother, and Nonny?
Are they related? Or is it even more complex than this?
Obviously, I'd spoil some of the mystery of this book if I
went too far, but it was both original and enjoyable. And
the question of whether there is or isn't a poly triad going
on is definitely part of the fun.