I'd read the short story "Of Mist, and Grass, and Sand" years ago. That story eventually became the first chapter of "Dreamsnake", but by the time I learned about the novel, it was unfortunately out of print. I loved the short story and wondered if I'd ever be able to get my hands on a copy of the novel.

When I finally did, I suppose there was no way it could have lived up to my expectations. Still, "Dreamsnake" is a fine story. My basic problem with it was that it simply didn't live up to the promise shown in the first chapter, but I think that's my own fault and not the author's.