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A review by zade
The Gap Into Conflict: The Real Story by Stephen R. Donaldson
4.0
Donaldson can write like nobody's business and this excursion into space opera is no exception. It is fast-paced and intricately plotted. There are a few reasons, however, that I cannot give it five stars. First of all, the level of violence, particularly sexual violence, is off the charts. It's excruciating to read and there are scenes you wish you could scrub from your brain. This violence is not gratuitous--it is key to understanding the actions and thinking of the characters, but it is definitely disturbing and not at all for the sensitive. To his credit, Donaldson forces the reader to face the uncomfortable fact that human monsters are created, not born. The most despicable character in the book is also the saddest. Donaldson makes sure the reader can never settle comfortably into a bad guys vs. good guys mindset.
The second detractor of this book may actually be a plus for some readers. The book, hardly more than a novella, is merely the prelude for a much longer series of books. As tempting as it might be to skip this small introduction, you really must read it if you hope to understand what is happening in the second novel. Furthermore, in order to get the whole story, you must read all five books of the Gap Cycle. Each novel ends without any kind of resolution to the problems developed therein.
Having covered the negatives, let me make clear that Donaldson is a first-class world builder. Although his style is nothing like Herbert's, he has created a universe that is arguably as complex as that of the first three Dune novels. These books are easily fascinating enough to make you read each book in one (long) sitting, but if you do that, you'll have to go back and read them again because there's so much there.
I first read these books in the 1990s, when the last couple in the series first came out. They've stuck with me at least 20 years, in ways both positive and disturbing. I am rereading them now in anticipation of posting them on paperbackswap.
I rate books by whether or not I'm willing to give them space on my limited shelves. In terms of quality, the Gap Cycle merits a place. I won't be keeping my copies, though, because I don't want to risk my children picking them up.
The second detractor of this book may actually be a plus for some readers. The book, hardly more than a novella, is merely the prelude for a much longer series of books. As tempting as it might be to skip this small introduction, you really must read it if you hope to understand what is happening in the second novel. Furthermore, in order to get the whole story, you must read all five books of the Gap Cycle. Each novel ends without any kind of resolution to the problems developed therein.
Having covered the negatives, let me make clear that Donaldson is a first-class world builder. Although his style is nothing like Herbert's, he has created a universe that is arguably as complex as that of the first three Dune novels. These books are easily fascinating enough to make you read each book in one (long) sitting, but if you do that, you'll have to go back and read them again because there's so much there.
I first read these books in the 1990s, when the last couple in the series first came out. They've stuck with me at least 20 years, in ways both positive and disturbing. I am rereading them now in anticipation of posting them on paperbackswap.
I rate books by whether or not I'm willing to give them space on my limited shelves. In terms of quality, the Gap Cycle merits a place. I won't be keeping my copies, though, because I don't want to risk my children picking them up.