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camdenalexander's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
badseedgirl's review against another edition
4.0
My major 2016 reading goal is to read all the “Hugo award for best novel” winning books. There are currently 64 books in this category. I would like to say this was an original goal, but the truth is my friend “Spoltz” over here started it way before me. I have decided to accept the challenge he laid down. Sixty-four books sounds like a lot but I have already read 18 of them previously. Many of these already read books were ones I picked up and randomly read before I knew anything about the Hugo’s or what they were. I might go back and re-read a couple of the ones I really like.
My first 2016 book in this challenge is the 1979 winner, Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre. Every time I saw the cover of this novel, and read the novel blurb, I felt I had already read this book. Eventually I found out that Ms. McIntyre originally wrote a short story “Of Mist, and, Grass, and Sand” which was nominated for a 1974 Hugo award for short story and won a 1973 Nebula Award for best Novelette. I read this novel in middle or high school and I like the story so much that the plot stuck with me even if the title did not. Ms. McIntyre expanded the story and it became Dreamsnake.
I love a post-apocalyptic novel and one with strong women characters. This novel has both. Dreamsnake is closer to a “cozy apocalypse.” There are no roving bands of survivors struggling to survive in a ravaged world full of “Mad Max” type characters battling for the last can of dog food. The society which the reader found themselves was several generations removed from the nuclear war which caused the world as we know it to end. Because of this, the author was able to create in “Snake” her main character, a precious combination of innocence and intelligence. Characters who are struggling for their survival rarely get to display this combination and survive.
There was some sex and violence in this novel, but the way it was written, there was a barrier between the reader and the story and I never felt unduly concerned for the characters. Don’t get me wrong, in spite of this barrier, I just adored this book. From the moment I started reading it, I was engaged in this story. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Snake. I wanted her to find another dreamsnake to replace the one killed by the ignorant villagers. Although this is not a perfect novel. I would read other novels from Vonda N. McIntyre
4 of 5 stars.
My first 2016 book in this challenge is the 1979 winner, Dreamsnake by Vonda N. McIntyre. Every time I saw the cover of this novel, and read the novel blurb, I felt I had already read this book. Eventually I found out that Ms. McIntyre originally wrote a short story “Of Mist, and, Grass, and Sand” which was nominated for a 1974 Hugo award for short story and won a 1973 Nebula Award for best Novelette. I read this novel in middle or high school and I like the story so much that the plot stuck with me even if the title did not. Ms. McIntyre expanded the story and it became Dreamsnake.
I love a post-apocalyptic novel and one with strong women characters. This novel has both. Dreamsnake is closer to a “cozy apocalypse.” There are no roving bands of survivors struggling to survive in a ravaged world full of “Mad Max” type characters battling for the last can of dog food. The society which the reader found themselves was several generations removed from the nuclear war which caused the world as we know it to end. Because of this, the author was able to create in “Snake” her main character, a precious combination of innocence and intelligence. Characters who are struggling for their survival rarely get to display this combination and survive.
There was some sex and violence in this novel, but the way it was written, there was a barrier between the reader and the story and I never felt unduly concerned for the characters. Don’t get me wrong, in spite of this barrier, I just adored this book. From the moment I started reading it, I was engaged in this story. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Snake. I wanted her to find another dreamsnake to replace the one killed by the ignorant villagers. Although this is not a perfect novel. I would read other novels from Vonda N. McIntyre
4 of 5 stars.
grayjay's review
4.0
Dreamsnake follows the adventures of Snake, a healer, as she travels a post-apocalyptic Earth, offering her services. She can synthesize medicines, vaccines, cancer treatments and more through the venom glands of three specially trained snakes. When her Dreamsnake, the rarest of the three is killed through a misunderstanding with local villagers, she decides to journey in search of a new source for the Dreamsnakes.
It is a different kind of narrative, an adventure motivated by professionalism and personal responsibility, that meanders slowly but purposefully like the movement of a snake.
It features a female protagonists writing by a woman in the 70s, and all male characters are clearly secondary. It has very open discussions about casual sex, polyamorous relationships, child sex abuse, and a casual attitude toward homosexuality.
It is a different kind of narrative, an adventure motivated by professionalism and personal responsibility, that meanders slowly but purposefully like the movement of a snake.
It features a female protagonists writing by a woman in the 70s, and all male characters are clearly secondary. It has very open discussions about casual sex, polyamorous relationships, child sex abuse, and a casual attitude toward homosexuality.
jbragg6625's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
birdstar's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
boseph158's review
4.0
That first chapter was a bit of a rough start for me but I was hooked shortly there after. Its hard for me to put my finger on exactly what I loved about this story. I'll start with Snake and her strong lead in the story. Having no experience at a parent and honestly a lack of desire to be one I have always struggles to connect with more mature female leads. Snake was different, her strength came from her nurturing compassion. She is a healer in a world medical knowledge is limited. She uses snakes to help her patients and at the start of the story her abilities are severely hampered. She then embarks on a journey to redeem herself as a healer. Throughout her journey Snake tries to help the people she meets and though those actions we are shown a different kind of hero. One that does not need to carry a sword and slay monsters. Honestly Snake the refreshing take on female leads that I did not know I needed. I was sad when the story was over and I need more about Snake. Solid 4 out of 5 stars.
hannahlee's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This was really fabulous - it had everything, from deep world-building (that yet retained enough mystery to be interesting) to solid characters with relationships I was invested in, to evocative descriptions of the scenario. There is a unique, peculiar quality to sci-fi writing from the 70s, and I appreciated McIntyre's seeming lack of self-consciousness. This is unapologetically nerdy sci-fi written by someone who loves both science and story, and has a mastery of both. My only complaint is that I wish it had gone on longer!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Xenophobia, Abortion, and Pregnancy
barnstormingbooks's review against another edition
5.0
The 1979 Hugo Award for best novel DreamSnake holds up decently well. In a post apocalyptic world where a healer armed with the knowledge somewhere between magic and science travels the deserts on her tiger pony armed with three poisonous snakes she can control to heal the ill. The science fiction is believable, the themes of family, care, healing and love in all its forms are powerful.
The characters (especially the females) are the heart and soul of this book. Challenging ideas of women’s work and women’s roles in society, as well as the right to be a mother or not in all of the definitions of motherhood.
McIntyre sets all of the deeper themes against a travel adventure over landscapes and challenges that push the characters to their limits, keeping the reader on the page.