Reviews - The Fifth Sacred Thing

An inspiring novel, relevant for our challenging times.

As a ruthless government fronting for wealthy corporations, partners with a patriarchal fundamentalist Christian faction, they relentlessly reshape the world into a bleak authoritarian dystopia, that has striking parallels to present day US.

One territory breaks away, starting with 4 elderly women who tear up streets to start gardens. Their inspirational action provides the spark to create a cooperative system, where the four sacred elements that sustain life are honored and protected.

After 20 years, the inevitable clash between these polarized world views happens. Will the egalitarian society find a way to defend their ways without succumbing to violence? Is their a different way to win a war?

mimibecks's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

When I was a teenager I was on a long bike ride on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere and I found this book in the middle of the road. I believe in signs, and really did at that age. I thought it was meant for me somehow. I placed the fat heavy hardcover book on my handlebars and wheeled my way home. I love the book. Dystopian future, a character called “the Melissa” and the fifth sacred thing is love. I need to read it again.

nityaji's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Maybe not the best writing, but this book made me think long and hard about planetary resources, our current squandering of them, and how things might be if we continue on. it takes place in 2050, and resources are few. Water is scarce and precious, oil even scarcer. In San Francisco, the people have learned how to survive, thrive, even, by cooperative community.But of course, there are greedy bastards trying to control and hoard the resources at the deprivation of everyone else. That we, the people, can be victorious through love and consciousness, and cooperation, is the message. My book club read this and it sparked one of our most invigorating conversations several months ago.

lilawillow's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? No

4.75

Content Warnings

danileighta's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

A book about dreaming a new world into being. This book is bringing me hope that a new way of being in community with each other and relationship with the world is possible.

remarkieable's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

“‘We say that there are Four Sacred Things, and the fifth is spirit. And when you live in right relation to the four, you gain the power to contact the fifth. The four are earth, air, fire, and water. [...] To live in right relation is to preserve them and protect them, never to waste them...’” p. 300

mabanero's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

I'm only halfway through this one and I will probably finish it eventually, but for now it's got to go back to the library. The utopian/dystopian world building is great. However the story lags with characters just thinking and emoting and not enough acting.

More...