chirson's review against another edition
3.0
Some ideas here were actually neat and pretty engrossing. The world was fascinating, the protagonist was complex and interesting. And an interest in the intersection of sex, power and religion is still timely. But all the same, I found the way in which sexuality is explored to be quite dated and problematic; and the recourse to religion, particularly a critical reading of Christianity, for a source of significance and emotional conclusion - I didn't quite enjoy. And climbing murderous monks felt like something that could have been cut or limited without much thematic resonance being lost.
Still, the idea of kicking a dead bat at an enemy was fun. And the creepiness of the plague was properly terrifying.
Still, the idea of kicking a dead bat at an enemy was fun. And the creepiness of the plague was properly terrifying.
tobyboston99's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have a complicated relationship with Grass. It was both one of my favourite science fiction stories and also the bane of my existence for a month.
The overriding story is incredibly unique and the world that it builds is so expansive, the mystery that is teased throughout the first half of the book is so captivating, it really pulls you into this universe and the payoff at the end is very rewarding. However, the book seems to stretch on forever, the little drops of mystery and clues are few and far between for the first half of the book, while the rest is littered with confusing family trees and a lot of focus on some not so important features.
That being said, while the story drags on for what feels far too long at the beginning, the vast world-building is like nothing else, and the unique narrative is so engaging and mysterious and bold.
Overall a really fantastic story that just feels like it took forever to read.
The overriding story is incredibly unique and the world that it builds is so expansive, the mystery that is teased throughout the first half of the book is so captivating, it really pulls you into this universe and the payoff at the end is very rewarding. However, the book seems to stretch on forever, the little drops of mystery and clues are few and far between for the first half of the book, while the rest is littered with confusing family trees and a lot of focus on some not so important features.
That being said, while the story drags on for what feels far too long at the beginning, the vast world-building is like nothing else, and the unique narrative is so engaging and mysterious and bold.
Overall a really fantastic story that just feels like it took forever to read.
evanmc's review against another edition
3.0
Really slow start. Odd world building, some muddled ideas. But man, this was sure unique and weird, and I appreciate it for that in a sea of paint by numbers sci fi.
tokyo_mulldrifter's review against another edition
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
jelmervdl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.75
rubymitchell14's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tony_t's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
"Grass" by Sheri S. Tepper was written in 1989 so it is one of her earlier novels. I found it a satisfying tale of sentient aliens, enigmatic biology, and a curious mixture of high tech with 19th century religious and political aspects. The characters are a bit two-dimensional but I thought they combined in interesting and consistent ways to pull the narration along. Recommended.
stellajo's review against another edition
4.0
Pros: Lovely prose. Fabulous world building. Engaging plot with mystery, peril and hope. Deep themes including population control, religious hypocrisy and societal constraints, and the human-animal connection. Fine characterizations including a portrayal of a failed marriage, and an intriguing protagonist. Characters act from in response to well-depicted psychological motivations. Possible cons: Anti-organized religion theme may trouble some readers.
A multicolored prairie covers Sheri Tepper’s finely imagined world, appropriately named Grass. The animal life, intricately imagined, and the climate present a series of challenges to human pioneers. And those who live isolated estancias find that life in the vast grasslands slowly warps their minds.
Grass is one world in an inter-planetary religious empire controlled by the Sanctified, a cruel and hypocritical religious organization bent on recording all DNA signatures for later resurrection. Sanctity is based on Earth, the planet marginally habitable thanks to overpopulation, environmental decay and a mysterious plague that not only threatens Earth, but has also spread to the entire empire.
Marjorie, Rigo and their two children are deployed to Grass as ambassadors. Marjorie, the main protagonist, is a sportswoman with Olympic-grade horsemanship. Despite her successes, she’s failed to meet the expectations of her culture and her family. But she’s duty-bound by church and family and hopes to find meaning and purpose on the planet Grass. Naturally, a variety of interesting events ensue, while Marjorie and Rigo writhe in the confines of an unfortunate marriage.
Both Marjorie's character and the society of Grass evolve by the end of the book, allowing this novel to be classified as “hopepunk,” a science fiction novel in which people with insight, courage, and a vision beyond their limited self-interest leave the world a better place.
As always, the novel reflects the era of publication and the life of the author, now deceased. A focus on reproductive rights and relationship issues might originate from Ms Tepper’s career as director of Planned Parenthood. And she wrote this book in the eighties, during the Regan presidency, a time when reproductive issues were a hot topic of debate. Likewise, the plague storyline might reflect the HIV epidemic of that time. Regarding the grass, the author lived in Colorado’s front range where the mountains meet the great North American prairie, eastward, grass as far as the eye can see.
A multicolored prairie covers Sheri Tepper’s finely imagined world, appropriately named Grass. The animal life, intricately imagined, and the climate present a series of challenges to human pioneers. And those who live isolated estancias find that life in the vast grasslands slowly warps their minds.
Grass is one world in an inter-planetary religious empire controlled by the Sanctified, a cruel and hypocritical religious organization bent on recording all DNA signatures for later resurrection. Sanctity is based on Earth, the planet marginally habitable thanks to overpopulation, environmental decay and a mysterious plague that not only threatens Earth, but has also spread to the entire empire.
Marjorie, Rigo and their two children are deployed to Grass as ambassadors. Marjorie, the main protagonist, is a sportswoman with Olympic-grade horsemanship. Despite her successes, she’s failed to meet the expectations of her culture and her family. But she’s duty-bound by church and family and hopes to find meaning and purpose on the planet Grass. Naturally, a variety of interesting events ensue, while Marjorie and Rigo writhe in the confines of an unfortunate marriage.
Both Marjorie's character and the society of Grass evolve by the end of the book, allowing this novel to be classified as “hopepunk,” a science fiction novel in which people with insight, courage, and a vision beyond their limited self-interest leave the world a better place.
As always, the novel reflects the era of publication and the life of the author, now deceased. A focus on reproductive rights and relationship issues might originate from Ms Tepper’s career as director of Planned Parenthood. And she wrote this book in the eighties, during the Regan presidency, a time when reproductive issues were a hot topic of debate. Likewise, the plague storyline might reflect the HIV epidemic of that time. Regarding the grass, the author lived in Colorado’s front range where the mountains meet the great North American prairie, eastward, grass as far as the eye can see.