Happy holidays to a fellow BookCrosser; an extra special treat for you, I think, as this is one of my personal favorites!

~ Bleuey ~

Woohoo!! Thanks, bleuey! I read this book many years ago and have been wanting to read it again. Thanks so much!!

This is one of my favorite books of all time, and also, IMHO,Tepper's finest novel. The story is set in a post-holocaust feminist dystopia (doesn't that almost automatically make it an awesome story??) that offers only two political alternatives: a repressive polygamist sect (that is slowly self-destructing through inbreeding) and the matriarchal dictatorship called Women's Country. In Women's Country, in an effort to prevent another world war, the women have segregated most men into closed military garrisons and have taken responsibility for all other functions of government, industry, agriculture, science and learning.

Stavia is the main character. We watch her grow from a 10-year-old to a gorwn woman who is a doctor, mother and member of the Marthatown Women's Council. I found this to be a very imaginative and well-written novel that was very thought-provoking. The ideas and questions it brought up for me stayed with me over the many years since I first read it, in 1989 or 1990.

Oooh, this is a hard book to part with, but I know my friend snofferol will enjoy it, and I really want her to read it, so out it goes with several other books for her!!

I got your awesomeawesomeawesome package! I can't tell you how excited I am whenever I open so much as a postcard from you, and this little one is pretty damn excellent, with specific Wayne's World pronunciation. I've got a very soft spot for post-apocalyptic totalitarian and dystopian feminist futures, so this looks like it can only be good. Can't wait to read it!

And thank you infinitely for the other goodies- the pens and the bracelet/necklace enjoy particular pride of place. I hope you're enjoying your new kindle!;)