Gibbon's Decline and Fall

by Sheri S. Tepper

Book Overview

A wave of fundamentalism is sweeping across the globe as the millennium approaches, and a power-hungry presidential candidate sees his ticket to success in making an example out of a teenage girl who... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0553573985
• ISBN13: 9780553573985
• Release Date: June 1997
• Publisher: Random House Worlds
• Length: 480 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.4" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

Not for the Complacent

Sheri Tepper does not pull any punches. Many of her books deal with issues heretofore only addressed in women's studies classes or women's advocacy training. Issues that often cause one to say, "Oh, it doesn't really happen that way," or "that's an exaggeration," or "what about the male point of view?"_Gibbon's Decline and Fall_ actually gives a harsher view than others of her books with the same themes (_Grass_, say, or _Shadow's End_)both because the theme is painted in starker and clearer terms rather than being veiled in hints and allusions and because the novel is set in our world, in the now -- not on some other planet or in some distant future. I think this could make _Gibbon_ hard for some to swallow. Certainly unless you've studied radical feminism, the concepts advanced here will shake up your worldview. Reproductive rights are at the core here, and Tepper takes a good hard look at some harsh realities. This is bound to upset people who subscribe to a simple moralism, or who think that the right answers are always happy ones.Strong, independent women are Tepper's speciality, and there are a number of them here, from artists to lawyers. But there are no superheroes -- she is also sympathetic to women who are not so strong and not so privileged. She recognizes that people do stupid things and rationalize the results. Though one might interpret _Gibbon_ as a "battle of the sexes" novel, there are enough sympathetic men to keep it from appearing too one-sided. They are generally not the major players, however. So if you're apt to be offended by a woman-dominated story, this is probably not a good book for you.Tepper seems to believe that all questions have answers and all problems have solutions. But the answers and solutions do not necessarily mean everything is all happy for everyone. In fact, they necessarily mean upheaval, difficult decisions and sacrifices. Major change isn't a walk in the park.Many people will not like this book, and few will rate it as highly as I have. But _Gibbon's Decline and Fall_ remains my favourite work by my favourite writer of speculative fiction.

A Modern Day Fable

Tepper is famous for her feminist stance. And while this book is certainly no exception, it is also very different. Written so close to the time it describes, it seems odd that she would raze the world with plague and extremists. It doesn't bode well for the books longevity--gone is the reader's easy suspension of disbelief. But it is likely she did this on purpose. This book is not to be taken as an account of truth, but as a distillation of truth. That is to say, a fable. Most characters are over the top, wild and archetypal. These are not people but the forces of our world. The only people who read familiar are the protagonists. It was extremely easy for me to identify with them, and I was wrapped in their struggle. I read Grimms with this passion when I was 6. This is one of Tepper's best books.

POWERFUL

A Powerful story...thought provoking and insightful as to what many women deal with on a daily basis...an earlier review of this novel stated it "was ridiculous " to concieve of an allience between Catholicism and Islam...funny this morning I heard the Pope is planning a trip to Bagdad. Highly recomended

Unusual, thought-provoking, inspiring and fun!

Not for everyone, but Sheri has evoked some brilliant images and themes. Her treatment of the "unseen" is powerful and her unexpected solutions very refreshing. With Ms. Tepper bullets and tech are never the solution. Very refreshing!

Tepper is as always wonderful!!

Since reading Gate to Women's Country( her best book yet) I have been an avid fan. Once again she does not disappoint. This is a thought provoking, disturbing book that I could not put down.Her view of tomorrow is bleakly realistic. I only hope that her voice is heard before it is too late