Mixed feelings. The beginning seemed like a regular science fiction adventure, then it was like falling down the rabbit hole into a completely different book altogether. The complexity of the alien races, societies, interactions and issues was brilliant and awe inspiring. it was, though, awfully hard to follow at times and the pace slowed a lot. ( )

And, you know what? I found the details of the different species interesting, sure, for example how Gwyngs are marsupial and sleep in puppy piles... but the underlying 'being-ness' of each species is not so alien, actually. That is to say, all the Barcons are healers, all the different bird-peoples have a defensive chip on their shoulders... but one species has more in common with any other one species than, say, the "breeds" (yes, that's Ore's word) of humans (say, Anglo vs. Chinese, perhaps) have with one another.?á

Heck, readers who can understand Ore's ellipticalism and flirtations with plot are alien to me. ;)

So, if this is straight SF it's over-rated by the measure of how alien the aliens are, and if it's a parable about different human cultures irl it's over-rated by the measure of the comprehensible impact it makes.

Imo." ( )

What if you actually did get picked up by aliens and flown away in their flying saucer? A fun, mind-blowing read. Pokes fun at some silly things about human beings and gives us insight into our own xenophobic tendencies. ( )

One of the most interesting books I've read in a long time. ( )