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george_salis's review against another edition
Wendy Walker, Tom La Farge's husband, informed me that The Crimson Bears was arbitrarily split into two books because Sun and Moon Press could not afford to print the full book at the time. Thus, this is only half a novel (the other half being A Hundred Doors) and, unfortunately for the book's reception, the second half was delayed by a full year. The concept sort of evokes Solomon going through with his plan to cut a child down the middle. There can only be one result....
Anyway, The Crimson Bears is less an action-packed adventure than a contemplative and slow-burning political fable. Tom La Farge has meticulously created an anthropomorphized world that is both like our own and quite alien. From the Thoog to the Slizz, we are introduced to some memorable and fantastical species in addition to the usual foray of porcupines, bears, and more. My favorite character is Mr. Dizzy of Clowncattown whose linguistic playfulness is a delight. At times, La Farge uses postmodern elements to both enrich the world he has created and to push the plot forward. Fairly early on in the book, at the first drop of a hint, I was able to guess the novel’s twist, but I’ve always had something of a knack for doing that.
Anyway, The Crimson Bears is less an action-packed adventure than a contemplative and slow-burning political fable. Tom La Farge has meticulously created an anthropomorphized world that is both like our own and quite alien. From the Thoog to the Slizz, we are introduced to some memorable and fantastical species in addition to the usual foray of porcupines, bears, and more. My favorite character is Mr. Dizzy of Clowncattown whose linguistic playfulness is a delight. At times, La Farge uses postmodern elements to both enrich the world he has created and to push the plot forward. Fairly early on in the book, at the first drop of a hint, I was able to guess the novel’s twist, but I’ve always had something of a knack for doing that.
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