Journal Entry 1 by mpmarus from Citronelle, Alabama USA on Saturday, January 08, 2005

Bought on a recommendation, exploring alternate forms of living-space for an island nation and Slonczewski's Sharers are one example. 

Journal Entry 2 by mpmarus from Citronelle, Alabama USA on Friday, January 28, 2005

An above-average read. Some thought-proviking issues. 

Journal Entry 3 by mpmarus at To another Bookcrossing member in By Post, By Post -- Controlled Releases on Saturday, April 23, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (4/25/2005 UTC) at To another Bookcrossing member in By Post, By Post -- Controlled Releases

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Journal Entry 4 by affinity4books from Bryan, Texas USA on Wednesday, April 27, 2005

Thanks so much for the RABCK! I've been wanting to read this author for a while. I am a big fan of Sheri Tepper's feminist/environmentalist SF novels and have heard that this is similar. Thanks again. 

Journal Entry 5 by affinity4books from Bryan, Texas USA on Monday, May 16, 2005

What a well-thought out engrossing read with excellent characterization! I really enjoyed this dystopic/utopic novel. If you are a fan of Handmaid's Tale, Gate to Women's Country, Oryx & Crake or Ursula Le Guin, you should definitely read this thought-provoking, entertaining exploration of two very different cultures struggling to understand each other. I especially liked the theme of the interconnectivity of and responsibility to all life. Thank you to mpmarus for the chance to read this and to the discussion in Book Talk that brought Slonczewski to my attention.

A Review from Amazon:
The ocean planet Shora is home to the Sharers, a purple humanoid race of women who reproduce by parthenogensis. As traders from the neighboring planet Valedon interact with the Sharers, the seawomen strive to better understand the Valans and travel to Valedon. Merwen and her lovesharer bring Spinel, a young man, back to Shora to exchange knowledge. All too soon, the armies of Valedon arrive on Shora to bring it under their rule, but how can a people who have no comprehension of war or rule submit to this harsh invasion? Merwen wages a peaceful communication with the Valans, but understanding is tenuous for both sides and this strange war escalates beyond the control of either party. Only through a blending of Valan and Sharer ways can this war be stopped before Shora is damaged irrevocably. "A Door into Ocean" is an expansive ecofeminist feast featuring two radically different cultures trying to find common ground. Not just a dialogue between men and women or between warmongers and peacemongers, this book is a fascinating vision of coexistence in a universe where differences carry more weight than similarities. Rich in philosophy and love, "A Door into Ocean" is a compelling novel beautifully rendered.


List for Bookray (may change):
sarradee US ship to US/Canada
garnetfairy US ship to US/Canada
karendawn US ship to US/Canada
sqdancer Cananda ship intl
efs300 US ship intl
catsalive Australia ship Aus/NZ
BenjyMouse NZ ship intl
xula Spain (prefer to be last)<<<<<<< book is on its way here!


Please journal when you receive the book, after you read it, and when you mail it off so we can all keep track of its marvelous journey! Please pass it on within a month if at all possible, as others are waiting to read it as well. Feel free to PM me with any questions or problems. Enjoy! 

Journal Entry 6 by affinity4books at Bookray in By Mail, BookCrosser -- Controlled Releases on Friday, May 27, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (5/25/2005 UTC) at Bookray in By Mail, BookCrosser -- Controlled Releases

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RELEASE NOTES:

mailed out to start ray 

Journal Entry 7 by sarradee from Dallas, Texas USA on Tuesday, May 31, 2005

Arrived today, will start reading right away and get this ray moving right along. Looks very interesting! 

Journal Entry 8 by sarradee from Dallas, Texas USA on Saturday, June 04, 2005

Finished this book a few minutes ago. What an incredibly powerful novel. What an amazing read, I'm still digesting it. I will be mailing this to garnetfairy on Monday. Thank you for letting me be part of this ray! 

Journal Entry 9 by sarradee from Dallas, Texas USA on Sunday, June 05, 2005

I'm writing this now because I leave the house extremely early in the morning and am not able to reliably get online until after work. Label is printed via stamps.com, and book is ready to be mailed out to garnetfairy first thing in the morning.

Electronic delivery confirmation number: 9102 0105 2129 7588 8009 32 

Journal Entry 10 by garnetfairy from Sugar Land, Texas USA on Thursday, June 09, 2005

Received in the mail, will read and pass on 

Journal Entry 11 by garnetfairy from Sugar Land, Texas USA on Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Wow, what a great book! I stayed up till 5:30 am to finish it. Sort of reminds me of a feminist/lesbian twist on Sirens of Titan (Best as I can remember that book, anyway.) I really enjoyed it, it was easy to connect with the main characters. The worlds were well fleshed-out. I liked the all-female moon. It was just really cool. I would definitely read this author again. 

Journal Entry 12 by garnetfairy from Sugar Land, Texas USA on Tuesday, June 14, 2005

Mailed to next in line in the bookring 06-14-05. Thanks for letting me participate! 

Journal Entry 13 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Saturday, June 18, 2005

The book arrived back in the B/CS area today. :) [I'm here for the summer.] I'm in the middle of another book right now but should finish it today and will start this one next. Thanks for sharing!

UPDATE June 24: I'm about a third of the way through the book. I'm liking it but haven't had much time to read lately (grading papers). I hope to get more reading in this weekend and I don't have to grade again until next Friday, so I should be able to finish it next week. 

Journal Entry 14 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Sunday, June 26, 2005

This is what I love about sf/fantasy: the unlimited possibilities in worldbuilding compared to stories that are more "realistic." And yet at the same time, stories like this book can tell us so many things about ourselves and the world around us. What would our own world be like if we weren't "sick" - if we didn't practice death-hastening? Could a world like Shora ever truly exist? Do we have any Spinels among us? Or are we more like Nisi? Like Realgar?

The book itself was a little difficult to get into at first and some of the events in the end happened a little too quickly, but overall this was a very good read. 

Journal Entry 15 by karendawn at on Thursday, June 30, 2005

Released 6 yrs ago (6/30/2005 UTC) at

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traveling to the next reader - enjoy! 

Journal Entry 16 by sqdancer on Wednesday, July 13, 2005

Received safe and sound. I've haven't read anything by this author, so I'm really looking forward to this book.



 

Journal Entry 17 by sqdancer on Saturday, August 20, 2005

Apologies for the late journal entry. This book was sent out via Air Mail on Monday, August 15th.

Very thought provoking. I enjoyed it so much that I located another of her novels in my local UBS. Unfortunately, it will have to wait to read it until after I finish the rings that decended on me this past week.

Thank you so much for sharing this book. Another new SF author to add to my list.

 

Journal Entry 18 by efs300 from Bedford, New Hampshire USA on Wednesday, August 24, 2005

Received in the mail today safe and sound from Canada into New Hampshire. Unfortunately I have one other bookring books ahead of this in my TBR pile after finishing the book I am reading. Will get to it as soon as possible. Looking forward to reading this as its a new author for me. 

Journal Entry 19 by efs300 from Bedford, New Hampshire USA on Tuesday, September 20, 2005

A very intriguing book. It took a while to get into this book as its about 2 very different civilizations and cultures but once I got about half way into the book it became very interesting. The struggle between the people of Shora and the Valedon and the characters: Merwin, Lystra, Nisi/Berenice and Spinel were very intriguing. But most of all the entire concept of the Shora society and their sharer beliefs was very thought provoking. This is what good science fiction and just plain good literature is all about...

It will be off to catsalive in Australia tomorrow morning, I hope she enjoys it.

Update - Shipped to castalive this morning Sept 21, via 'Economy Letter-post', shipping weight 14.5 oz (411 g) at a cost of US$4.05, not as much I had thought to ship to Australia. Of course we will have to see how long it takes to get there.... 

Journal Entry 20 by catsalive from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Friday, December 02, 2005

I have just received this book. Thanks, efs300, it looks like it takes about 2.5 months to get here. 

Journal Entry 21 by catsalive from Rooty Hill, New South Wales Australia on Sunday, January 08, 2006

I loved this book. Thanks for readsharing, affinity4books. I loved the way the Shorans "shared" everything for the good of the whole planet, and attempted to share with strangers as well. The actions of the Valedons seemed typical of men's "shoot first, ask questions later" attitude. It is much easier to kill than to try understanding. I'd love to get hold of another of Slonczewski's books.

I'll send this off to BenjyMouse ASAP. Posted 10/1/6. 

Journal Entry 22 by BenjyMouse from Dunedin, Otago New Zealand on Tuesday, January 17, 2006

Arrived today...thanks catsalive. 

Journal Entry 23 by BenjyMouse from Dunedin, Otago New Zealand on Friday, January 27, 2006

An interesting book, and I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you for sharing it.

As has been previously stated, it is the story of two very different societies; Shorans, who share everything, and who live in harmony with their world, and Valans, who have been subjugated, but who have been given the task of subjugating Shora.

It brings up interesting issues of balance vs control, sharing society vs patriarchy, violence vs passive resistance and (given that all the Shorans are female), the male vs female aspect can't really be ignored.

I shall be looking for more books by Joan Slonczewski in future.

Off to xula in the morning... 

Journal Entry 24 by xula from Gijón/Xixón, Asturies/Asturias Spain on Friday, March 17, 2006

just recived, thanks!