The Gate to Women's Country
Registered by 
lauraloo29
of Edmonton, Alberta Canada on 3/28/2004
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
lauraloo29 of Edmonton, Alberta Canada on 3/28/2004 This Book is Currently in the Wild!
17 journalers for this copy...
I have read this a couple of times. I love the book.
From the back cover: Since the flames died three hundred years ago, human civilization has evolved into a dual society: Women's Country, where walled towns enclose what's left of past civilization, nurtured by women and a few nonviolent men; and the adjacent garrisons where warrior men leve - the lost brothers, sons and lovers of those in Women's Country. Two societies. Two competing dreams. Two ways of life, kept apart by walls stronger than stone. And yet there is a gate between them.....
From the back cover: Since the flames died three hundred years ago, human civilization has evolved into a dual society: Women's Country, where walled towns enclose what's left of past civilization, nurtured by women and a few nonviolent men; and the adjacent garrisons where warrior men leve - the lost brothers, sons and lovers of those in Women's Country. Two societies. Two competing dreams. Two ways of life, kept apart by walls stronger than stone. And yet there is a gate between them.....
I'm sending this out as a Bookring. When you receive the book, please make a journal entry letting us know you have it. When you are done, please journal again with your thoughts on the book. Contact the next person on the list via PM for their mailing address
Mailing order is as follows:
1.gypsyrose02 Australia (Aus/Int)
2.Mundoo Australia (Int)
3.Loeweneckerchen Germany (Int)
4.ecmwfinswe Sweden (Int)
5.Auglaise UK (Int)
6.Lpree US (Int)
7.Elizarose US
8.Matty (Canada)
9.rednumbertwo (Canada)
10. home to Lauraloo29
Off to gypsyrose02 on May 13th. Happy travels!
received this yesterday as a bookring from lauraloo. will get it read asap and sent on its way. thanks lauraloo.
i really struggled with this one. no matter how hard i tried, i just couldnt get into it. as my tbr pile is building up, ive decided to send it on its way. posting it to mundoo tomorrow. thanks for adding me lauraloo.
Received the book in the mail. Next to be read.
Journal Entry 6 by Mundoo from Hindmarsh Island, South Australia Australia on Sunday, August 8, 2004
This book started slowly for me but by about page 100 I was sucked in. Interesting concept of selection. I didn't realise the role the servitors played until the end. I still haven't worked out what the spinning blades were. I wondered how come more daughters didn't know the secret. The holyland families were barbaric and I wonder how much more to the story they added.
Sending onto Loeweneckerchen this week
Sending onto Loeweneckerchen this week
Journal Entry 7 by Mundoo at By Mail in per Post, A Bookcrossing member -- Controlled Releases on Monday, August 9, 2004
Release planned for Tuesday, August 10, 2004 at By Mail in Controlled Release, Given to a fellow bookcrosser Controlled Releases.
Sent to Loeweneckerchen by surface mail. Expected delivery time of 3 weeks.
Sent to Loeweneckerchen by surface mail. Expected delivery time of 3 weeks.
Journal Entry 8 by Loeweneckerchen from Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Sunday, August 22, 2004
Received yesterday. This book surely moves fast! I'm looking forward to reading it!
11/19
This is one of the rare books I liked so well I will try to get my own copy. The story is so great. Many people in our history have tried to establish a perfect society, there are so many theories about what could work, which rules to apply and so forth. I can understand why the Martha in Mrs Tepper's book build a society like Women's Country - after the losses and grief and pain a war always brings with it. But, although it looks like it, it isn't perfect. In my opinion not even the many benefits for the women, the life in peace and safety behind their walls do justify the moral and ethical choices that are made by a few selected women for an entire species. And, as a friend of mine pointed out: aggression isn't necessarily a bad thing. Without it there would be almost no invention, no ambition. I think proof for this can even be found in the book - to me it looks as if things are still done as they have been three hundred years ago. But on the other hand: no violence against women is something any society should achieve. This book raises so many philosophical questions ...
11/19
This is one of the rare books I liked so well I will try to get my own copy. The story is so great. Many people in our history have tried to establish a perfect society, there are so many theories about what could work, which rules to apply and so forth. I can understand why the Martha in Mrs Tepper's book build a society like Women's Country - after the losses and grief and pain a war always brings with it. But, although it looks like it, it isn't perfect. In my opinion not even the many benefits for the women, the life in peace and safety behind their walls do justify the moral and ethical choices that are made by a few selected women for an entire species. And, as a friend of mine pointed out: aggression isn't necessarily a bad thing. Without it there would be almost no invention, no ambition. I think proof for this can even be found in the book - to me it looks as if things are still done as they have been three hundred years ago. But on the other hand: no violence against women is something any society should achieve. This book raises so many philosophical questions ...
Journal Entry 9 by Loeweneckerchen from Böblingen, Baden-Württemberg Germany on Sunday, November 21, 2004
Brought it to the post office yesterday. It's now on it's way to Sweden!
I did send it!
I did send it!
I'm declaring this book lost. I have confirmed with ecmwfinswe that it hasn't arrived in Sweden. Loeweneckerchen is not answering my PM's to confirm the book did get in the mail.
TODAY the book arrived in the mail! So lauraloo29 and you other fellows here we go again!
On its way to Mochagirl - sorry I meant Auglaise! I did send two books at the same time so I wrote the wrong name in this journal. The book is on it's way to the right place though!
I'm hoping ecmwfinswe has made a typo as to who the book is going to. I've not received PM's in a while, although I have sent numerous. This is a bookring and should be going to the UK next, not Australia.......
Journal Entry 14 by Auglaise from -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Saturday, May 28, 2005
Received this right before I moved last weekend, and haven't been able to journal until now. Sorry!
I really enjoyed this, and found it to be a really interesting idea of a world and a fascinating look into the relationships between men and women. I could understand why the Council made the choices they did - all we have to do today is look at the world around us and you begin to wonder why some people have children when they don't want or love them, and that there could be a better way of doing things. I'm not saying that I agree with everything that the women in Marthatown did, but I agree that it raises some really relevent issues. I think I might try to get a copy of this book myself at some point in the future. Thanks for sharing lauraloo!! I'll be sending it on as soon as I'm able.
I really enjoyed this, and found it to be a really interesting idea of a world and a fascinating look into the relationships between men and women. I could understand why the Council made the choices they did - all we have to do today is look at the world around us and you begin to wonder why some people have children when they don't want or love them, and that there could be a better way of doing things. I'm not saying that I agree with everything that the women in Marthatown did, but I agree that it raises some really relevent issues. I think I might try to get a copy of this book myself at some point in the future. Thanks for sharing lauraloo!! I'll be sending it on as soon as I'm able.
This arrived in yesterday's mail. I have a couple other rings ahead of it but will read it as soon as I can. I've been looking forward to reading this as it is such an interesting premise!
This is next on my TBR list - I should be able to start it in a couple of days. However, in the meantime, my husband decided to read it. Here are his comments:
"Very good book, very well written, good story even though it takes a while to start making sense; I was already halfway through and it felt like things were still being set up. As it turns out, that's part of the mystery, the slow revealing of what's really going on. Which, when it finally comes to light, is quite a surprise.
The premise of the book is that by nature, most men are violent pigs with a penchant for domination, grabbing power, and using women as sex objects. They ruined the planet once, but in this post-apocalyptic world, the women are determined to make sure that it won't happen again. To that end, the ruling caste skillfully pulls strings behind the curtain in an attempt to better humankind. In that regard they reminded me a bit of the Bene Gesserit of Dune, only on a smaller but no less ambitious scale."
I'll post my thoughts once I've read it myself.
"Very good book, very well written, good story even though it takes a while to start making sense; I was already halfway through and it felt like things were still being set up. As it turns out, that's part of the mystery, the slow revealing of what's really going on. Which, when it finally comes to light, is quite a surprise.
The premise of the book is that by nature, most men are violent pigs with a penchant for domination, grabbing power, and using women as sex objects. They ruined the planet once, but in this post-apocalyptic world, the women are determined to make sure that it won't happen again. To that end, the ruling caste skillfully pulls strings behind the curtain in an attempt to better humankind. In that regard they reminded me a bit of the Bene Gesserit of Dune, only on a smaller but no less ambitious scale."
I'll post my thoughts once I've read it myself.
Okay, I finished this a couple of days ago. Unfortunately, I didn't find this to be as "brilliant" as my husband did. In fact, I really disliked the book from the very beginning. I think it was just the overly descriptive writing style of the beginning. Once the story got going a bit more, I enjoyed it. It was an interesting plot idea and I too found the servitors true role very surprising. I certainly didn't see that coming.
Anyway, thanks very much to lauraloo29 for starting this ring! I will mail this out soon!
** Sent media mail to elizarose on 7/23 **
Anyway, thanks very much to lauraloo29 for starting this ring! I will mail this out soon!
** Sent media mail to elizarose on 7/23 **
Thanks! I look forward to reading this!
I got this book in the mail a couple of days ago and hope to start on it this week. Looks good!
I loved the book! This is totally the kind of book I love with the rebuilding of a new and hopefully better society. And just the right amount of feminist theory snuck in. Why can't all books be like this one?
I'm an add-on! My sister sent this to me (thanks matty!), and I can't wait to read it.
Once I got started, I couldn't stop reading this book. It really had everything I like in a story: post-apocalyptic survivors building new societies. Yes, by the end, it's hard to say if the council of Marthatown is doing the right thing. Who can be comfortable with keeping an entire civilization in the dark about a eugenics project? Then again, maybe personal freedom is overrated, especially if some people are going to use that freedom to subjugate others. I really didn't see the ending coming at all, and it kept me thinking about it for the rest of the day. I'll definitely be recommending this book to others. I'll be sending this back to lauraloo29 soon.
Arrived home today! This is my 3rd bookring to return home this month. I'm feeling very happy. Thank you to everyone for keeping it safe and moving along. :)
I'm going to send this book out again. This time as a bookray.Please keep the book moving. If you're going to take longer than 4 weeks, please update your journal entry to reflect this.
1.Semming Finland (Europe preferred)
2.sadogs UK (Intl)
3.cloggy UK (Intl)
4.sqdancer Canada (Intl)
5.colebear US (Intl)
6.tantan Australia (Aus preferred)
Starting its journey on January 13th. Happy travelling!
Journal Entry 25 by Semming from Jyväskylä, Keski-Suomi / Mellersta Finland Finland on Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Just arrived in the mail, thank you! I've got one book to finish before starting on this one, but I'll try to be quick with it. Can't wait to start this one. :)
Journal Entry 26 by Semming from Jyväskylä, Keski-Suomi / Mellersta Finland Finland on Sunday, March 5, 2006
Just finished reading this. The first 50 pages were a struggle, the story got interesting around page 100 and very interesting at 200. :) I made a conscious decision not to look at these journal entries before reading the book and I think it was a good decision indeed, because any thoughts on the book can easily snuff the twists of the plot. I'd declare all the journal entries as possible spoilers, including mine. :) I liked the way the story made me think about freedom in philosophical terms: were any of these characters in control of their lives and what were the limits of their freedom to choose and take action? The power relationships were also cleverly written and I enjoyed the way strength and violence were not described as the only ways to take control and use power. I can see how this book must have been very relevant at the time it was published but in some parts, especially in terms of gender equality, it seems somewhat outdated and the style of writing is a bit over the top. An interesting read, anyway, and I'm glad I got to read this, thank you! I'm going to take a trip to see my family and relatives and will bring the book with me for mailing. I'm not sure when I can mail it, but should be able to mail within the set 4 week limit for this book. I've got sadogs' address and will mail as soon as possible.
Journal Entry 27 by Semming from Jyväskylä, Keski-Suomi / Mellersta Finland Finland on Tuesday, March 14, 2006
I came home last night and have been badly down with a flu for the last week. I left the book to my family for mailing so that it won't be delayed because of my illness. I'm sorry for these delays, but apparently it's one of those times when Things Just Happen... The book should be in the mail today if everything works out well. Thank you for organizing this ray!
Arrived yesterday -should get to it this week.
What a great book! I couldn't put it down, it was a very interesting read which raised as many questions as it answered. Thank you Lauraloo for this bookring. Will be posting on this week to cloggy.
Journal Entry 30 by cloggy from -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Friday, April 21, 2006
The book arrived this morning. I've got a couple of rings before this one, but I love Sheri Tepper's books, so this might sneak its way to the top of the pile
Journal Entry 31 by cloggy from -- Somewhere in London 🤷♀️ , Greater London United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Wonderful, wonderful. Sheri Tepper never ceases to amaze me.
I've read quite a few of her books and know what her main areas of interest are, but I still had not figured out what exactly was going on in Woman's Country. She's such a great story teller, I could not put this book down until I - with a sigh as I hadn't wanted it to end - turned the last page.
Will go in the post to sqdancer today.
I've read quite a few of her books and know what her main areas of interest are, but I still had not figured out what exactly was going on in Woman's Country. She's such a great story teller, I could not put this book down until I - with a sigh as I hadn't wanted it to end - turned the last page.
Will go in the post to sqdancer today.
Ooh, I've been looking forward to this one. I have two rings ahead of it, but I will try to move it along quickly.
Received today, I'll start working on it when I finish the book I currently have going. Thanks for sending it sqdancer and for starting the Ray, lauraloo29!
Wow! I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love the way Sheri S. Tepper's books always make me think. Her books are great to share with friends for heated debates. I'll probably pick up a copy of this one next time I see it so I can pass it around my group.
Thanks again for including me in the ray. I'll mail this to the next in line over the weekend.
Thanks again for including me in the ray. I'll mail this to the next in line over the weekend.
Received from colebear - many thanks! :-) As I'm last on the list for this book I hope no one minds if I have it for awhile as I have quite a pile of books to read.
The book will be heading off to Sherlockfan in New Zealand once I'm done.
The book will be heading off to Sherlockfan in New Zealand once I'm done.
My first book of the year, but I'm sure it will make it on to my list of the best. If I see a copy of this book in a USB somewhere I'll be picking it up so I can loan it out to friends.
The story itself reminded me a lot of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, even though the events themselves were very different. I guess it was the 'how the world could end up' feeling.
Anyway, I loved the book. Wonderful story-telling, and (IMHO) an excellent example of giving out just enough information at a time. I had a feeling that something big was going on with the servitors, but I still got a shock when it was revealed.
The story raises so many questions. I'll be thinking about it for a long time to come.
It's heading off to Sherlockfan in New Zealand as soon as I have an address.
The story itself reminded me a lot of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, even though the events themselves were very different. I guess it was the 'how the world could end up' feeling.
Anyway, I loved the book. Wonderful story-telling, and (IMHO) an excellent example of giving out just enough information at a time. I had a feeling that something big was going on with the servitors, but I still got a shock when it was revealed.
The story raises so many questions. I'll be thinking about it for a long time to come.
It's heading off to Sherlockfan in New Zealand as soon as I have an address.
Journal Entry 37 by Sherlockfan from Upper Hutt, Wellington Province New Zealand on Monday, January 15, 2007
Wonderful how quickly the mail moves between NZ and Australia when it is not Christmas. A firstclass airmail letter posted in Sydney on 19 Dec didn't arrive here until 9 January!!!
This book, last journaled on 9 January, arrived here on 16th Jan. Something decidely awry with this difference.
Thanks very much Tantan for thinking of our convention and sending your ambassdor to attend in your place. WOuld that it had been youin person but maybe next time.
Remider to all previous readers of this book.
The 4th NZ BookCrossing Convention will be held in Wellington from 16th to 18th February. Lots of good things happening and still room for additional entries. Please send me a pm if interested - it is not too late.
Alas our webmaster has been away so the web page hasn't been updated yet but please check it out meantime.
http://www.freewebs.com/nzbxingconvention2007/
For thos people with computer skills and the desire for quirky book labels see FutureCats's wonderful convention logo. We will have labels but not just yet. No reason why you couldn't make one for your own use. The Beehive is part of our Parliament Buildings in central Wellington.
http://www.hamipiks.com/showPic.php/128913/bcnz07_4.jpg
This book, last journaled on 9 January, arrived here on 16th Jan. Something decidely awry with this difference.
Thanks very much Tantan for thinking of our convention and sending your ambassdor to attend in your place. WOuld that it had been youin person but maybe next time.
Remider to all previous readers of this book.
The 4th NZ BookCrossing Convention will be held in Wellington from 16th to 18th February. Lots of good things happening and still room for additional entries. Please send me a pm if interested - it is not too late.
Alas our webmaster has been away so the web page hasn't been updated yet but please check it out meantime.
http://www.freewebs.com/nzbxingconvention2007/
For thos people with computer skills and the desire for quirky book labels see FutureCats's wonderful convention logo. We will have labels but not just yet. No reason why you couldn't make one for your own use. The Beehive is part of our Parliament Buildings in central Wellington.
http://www.hamipiks.com/showPic.php/128913/bcnz07_4.jpg
