Great Sky Woman

by Steven Barnes

Book Overview

The epic story of how primitive humans, without words or machines, set in motion civilization's long, winding journey to the present.

Thirty thousand years ago, in the heart of the African continent and in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, lived the Ibandi, who for generations nurtured their ancient traditions, and met survival' s daily struggle with quiet faith in their gods. T'Cori, an abandoned girl, and Frog Hopping, a boy possessing a gift that is also a curse, are two of the Ibandi's chosen ones. Though they live in different encampments, Frog and T'Cori are linked through the mysterious medicine woman known as Stillshadow, who has sensed in them a destiny apart from others'.

Through the years, and on their separate paths, T'Cori's and Frog's fates entwine as an inevitable disaster approaches from the south--from the very god they worship. For as long as there have been mountain, sky, and savannah, there has been a home for the Ibandi. Now, in the face of an enemy beyond anything spoken of even in legend, they must ask their god face-to-face: Do we remain or do we depart?

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345459024
• ISBN13: 9780345459022
• Release Date: March 2009
• Publisher: Del Rey Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

An African Ayla

I found this book to be an excellent Historical Fiction work, similar in context and experience to the general work of Jean Auel and her Earth's Children series. The 'buy-in' of the first few chapters, creates a familiarity with the central characters and their value systems that carries the story to its logical conclusion, without artifice or undo diversion. I hope that this story is the beginning of a wonderful series. Dee White

Great Sky Woman Gives Voice and Power to the Science Fiction Genre and African Americans

As always, Barnes has written another phenomenal, detailed piece of fiction that allows African American's to feel like we are truly a part of mainstream literature. When I read Barnes, I feel as if I have a story too--one that is rich with details, hope and beauty. Something that is fiercely lacking in most other literature. The new craze among writers to depict us as one demensional sex-craved vixens and thugs is neither uplifting or representative of what I believe most African Americans want when they go to a book store. We fought too hard for the voices of Langston, Zora, Alice and Toni to be heard to now have them silenced by this new generation of writers that have started "selling themselves" to the highest bidder. T'Cori (the nameless one) is an orphaned girl raised to be a Dancer. Frog is a young man raised to be a warrior. The two, whose path cross in a way that is unimaginable, allows both T'Cori and Frog to become greater than the selves they started out to be. Both rely on the other's strengths and change their history and the history of their people. We need literature like this. One that allows us to see ourselves as the beginning not the end of what makes this civilization of ours great. I appreciate writers like Barnes, his wife Ms. Due and the late great Octavia Butler. They allowed us to be a part of the science fiction genre in a way that challenges the status quo and gives credibility to the fact that African American readers want to be challenged and put in the forefront of the literature that is written about us in a way that is classy and multi-layered. Thank you again, Mr. Barnes for another wonderful work of literature. I look forward to the sequel to this book(if rumor proves correct).

Pure Joy!

Steven Barnes is truly a master griot(storyteller). All of the characters and situations were well-developed and seemed so real. He has breathed life, death, joy, sadness, and soul into this telling of a tale that happened long ago. This book has been added to my collection of African social anthropology. It must be reread from time to time. T'Cori and Frog as well as the other characters live through Steven. I cannot wait to read his next project! Way to go, Steven!

Connection made

Reading Steven Barnes "Great Sky Woman" has been an enlightening journey. He has definitely done his research and used a his famous imagination. Lessons learned and thoughts for the future. The character T'Cori sparked my interest and held my attention. I could not help but wonder how many T'Cori's exist in the present day world and how many were brave enough to make a change. You must read it again and again!!! Steven Barnes has hit my spot again!!! I loved the book and thanks for allowing me to read another master creation. Waiting for more...more...more!!!! Take your time I understand, creation takes time. It is well worth the wait!!!

A wonderful and engaging novel

Great Sky woman is thoroughly enjoyable (on every level)! While reading I felt what the characters felt, their triumphs and their struggles. I took the journey with them. I don't merely mean an emotional response; while reading I began to meditate. This book put me into a very positive, very aware state. The story is touching and profound and timeless. I'll have to read it again sometime. Great Sky Woman is perhaps Steven Barnes' best work. As far as his writing ability goes, he's reaching for the heavens with this one. I think there's to be sequel, I can't wait. Buy the book. Read it. You'll see what I mean!