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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Not really my cup of tea. It seemed like a setting in search of a plot. Not sure what the point was. YMMV
Robinson was on his game once again. The subject matter made it feel as though he was channelling Jean Auel at times, but far less dense than Auel. A very good tale about how humans learned to adapt, skills we may need again.
There's no point in avoiding a reference to Clan of the Cave Bear, so here it is: This book definitely offers some of the same pleasures, while being a very different book. Shaman has a sense of humor and lightness that Jean M. Auel's narrative lacks, and, while this makes for an easier entertainment, it also makes for a book that feels slight and that didn't pull me in quite the way Clan of the Cave Bear did. I enjoyed Shaman, but I didn't inhabit it.
Also, this book would have benefited mightily from an editor wielding an ice ax. I skimmed vast swathes, especially towards the middle. The fact that I didn't give up entirely is some sort of testament to the novel's charms.
I'm sure specialists of various kinds would be driven mad by many of Robinson's choices, but he creates a world that's plausible enough for general readers. And I'll just add that Auel's decision to have Homo sapiens and Neanderthals encounter each other and even interbreed no longer seems dubious. Science has caught up with fiction on that one.
Also, this book would have benefited mightily from an editor wielding an ice ax. I skimmed vast swathes, especially towards the middle. The fact that I didn't give up entirely is some sort of testament to the novel's charms.
I'm sure specialists of various kinds would be driven mad by many of Robinson's choices, but he creates a world that's plausible enough for general readers. And I'll just add that Auel's decision to have Homo sapiens and Neanderthals encounter each other and even interbreed no longer seems dubious. Science has caught up with fiction on that one.
Kevin loved this book. I kept waiting to, but ended up abandoning it after reading more than 1/2 of it -- I just didn't care and yet it is one of K's favourite books. Hard to explain. Tjought clan of the cave bear is a better book for this genre. (Maybe has to do with male and female protagonists?)
Robinson is a very detailed writer. maybe too much for some people but I like his style. This is different than a lot of his books which, to my knowledge, are more hard science fiction. Project Hail Mary is great as is The Martian, the book most people are familiar with because of the movie by the same name starring Matt Damon. Anyway if you like the Clan of the Cave Bear, you'll probably enjoy Shaman.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A decent story hampered by two glaring issues: first, it's far too long for the story that's told. It's a short story masquerading as a novel.
The second issue is, and I cannot stress this enough, the author is just catastrophically horny in a really off-putting way. If I ever have to read the word "spurt" one more time I'm going to lose my goddamned mind.
The second issue is, and I cannot stress this enough, the author is just catastrophically horny in a really off-putting way. If I ever have to read the word "spurt" one more time I'm going to lose my goddamned mind.
Interesting book. About 25% through it, I almost stopped listening to it. Nothing was really catching me. Characters were alright but I didn't see where the story was going. Slow to gain traction but It got somewhat interesting and in the end, I am glad I finished it.
When it works it really does. Falls flat a bunch too
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Fantastic dynamic first chapter that leads to quiet almost boring set pieces about life in the ice age. These chapters establish action later on. Picks up halfway thru with an exciting resolution. I am so trying to avoid spoilers here.
Once I got to the action I was obsessed.
Once I got to the action I was obsessed.