SOJALS rating:

Mediocre (2/5)

I first read this in October 1997 and most recently on the 31st October 2006

Seven young women, Carolyn, Agnes, Bettiann, Faye, Ophelia, Jessamine and Sovawahney meet at University in 1959. They bond as new students and remain friends through to the new millennium.

While their friendship endures, the society around them is metamorphosing into a twisted, evil, misogynistic fascism. Evil men are seizing control of the world and degrading, abusing and dehumanising women. Though this pervasive malignancy threatens their lives and the lives of women world-wide, this small group of friends find they may have the power to resist it and even overthrow it.

Sheri S. Tepper is stunningly talented writer, but this book misses the mark somewhat.

Although the ending is beautifully and movingly written (as indeed is the whole book), it hardly saves the novel's clumsily handled plot twist that hits us during the ladies' Mexico trip. Having said that, I did love the way Sophy's manifestations were handled and felt that the women's personalities were well-drawn (but, hey, what do I know?).

I enjoyed it, but I enjoy her other works much more.