From the Bookshelf of The Alternative Worlds…

Dreamsnake

Vonda N. McIntyre

Start date: May 15, 2011

Finish date: June 15, 2011

Discussion: A-F Book Discussions Archive

Why we're reading this: Group read May-June 2011
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What Members Thought

May 18, 2011 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: sf

While this book gets docked a point or two for the cheesy 70s cover and the title, it deserves a place among the classics of the genre. I first read the Nebula-winning novella "Of Mist, And Grass, And Sand," in middle school, but I never realized that McIntyre had expanded it to novel length. It's a thoughtful adventure, a quest led by a mature and confident heroine, Snake. I love her as a character: she knows who she is, she is good at what she does, and she is comfortable in her own skin. I al ...more

60 likes · Like · see review

Jan 30, 2016 Nicky rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: speculative-fiction, received-to-review, netgalley

Received to review via Netgalley

It’s been quite a while since I read this, and I remembered it fondly enough, so when it came up on Netgalley, I decided to request it and do a reread. I only gave it three stars the first time, which surprised me when I looked it up and saw the raft of awards it got: Nebula, Hugo, Tiptree nomination, National Book Award finalist… I remembered it being quite like The Steerswoman in the narrative style, in the capable heroine; I remembered that the background of th Received to review via Netgalley

It’s been quite a while since I read this, and I remembered it fondly enough, so when it came up on Netgalley, I decided to request it and do a reread. I only gave it three stars the first time, which surprised me when I looked it up and saw the raft of awards it got: Nebula, Hugo, Tiptree nomination, National Book Award finalist… I remembered it being quite like The Steerswoman in the narrative style, in the capable heroine; I remembered that the background of the story including queer and polyamorous characters in a casual, natural way — as well as plenty of capable women who knew what they were doing, who talked to each other (about things other than men!), who worked together.

Happily, all of that is still there, especially Snake’s care for others: for Melissa, and also for Gabriel, for Arevin, for the people she treats as a healer. Even for her snakes, though that’s not so surprising given that her livelihood relies upon them. And there are some quite lovely tender moments between Snake and the people she helps and becomes friends with.

The background of the story is fascinating too, and I don’t seem to have thought much about it before. It’s basically Earth, post-apocalypse, but exactly what that apocalypse was and how the aliens might have been involved, or even how long ago it was, are all shrouded and mysterious. And that background just lies behind the story, mostly not even used except in little bits — like the solution to breeding dreamsnakes. And there’s the whole issue of the healers using snake venom, how and why they would have begun that, how it all works. There’s room for half a dozen other stories here, though the one we’re told is a fairly straightforward redemption/quest story.

It’s still not quite a five star read for me: there’s something rather detached about it, emotionally, despite the tender moments. Sometimes the background feels a little too much like painted scenery. But for the most part, it was enjoyable to revisit Dreamsnake, and worth the time. ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Jul 03, 2009 This Is Not The Michael You're Looking For rated it really liked it

Shelves: nebula-award, own, hugo-award, science-fiction, fiction, locus-award, apocalyptic

An interesting story about a healer in a post-apocalyptic world. The story has a slightly odd mix of modern technology and primitive reversion. Parts of the story are very good, but some of it seemed a bit meandering. Still, a very solid tale.

8 likes · Like · see review

May 18, 2011 Nicky rated it liked it

Shelves: speculative-fiction, post-apocalyptic, queer

I wouldn't have read Dreamsnake without one of my groups on GR reading it, I think. It's not something I would've come across otherwise, but I'm glad I did. It reminded me, in tone, of The Steerswoman (Rosemary Kirstein), and like The Steerswoman, it has a mature female main character who gets done whatever needs to be got done in her field, without too much fear of outsiders.

I liked the world built up in glimpses, here: way post-apocalyptic event, a whole different sort of living... the hints o ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

May 18, 2011 Maree rated it liked it

So for a while there, I couldn't remember if I'd actually finished this book or not. I knew I can been really close, but didn't want to take it with me on my commute just to read for five minutes and then carry around for the rest of the day. Turned out I hadn't, but I might as well have--there wasn't much to the ending.

I liked the world and concepts behind it, but for me the adventure kind of dragged. It seemed like a lot of traveling for not a lot of gain. She makes it all the way to the gates ...more

3 likes · Like · see review

May 11, 2011 Suz rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-club, non-men-sff-authors, science-fiction, post-apocalyptic, feminist, award-winner, tiptree, amazeballs, other-planets-whee

3.5 stars, but if I had read it when I was younger (and I wish I had), it would be a 5 star book to me.

Snake is a healer on a post-apocalyptic Earth, off on her proving tour through the desert-lands, where healers typically do not travel. Along the way she has a mishap and she must then travel (first to her home, but then to a big City) do her best to right what has happened. Along the way she has a greater journey to a discovery that will (probably) forever benefit the healers in the future, an ...more

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