The Child Garden: Amazon.ca: Geoff Ryman: Books

Product Description

From Publishers Weekly

A future city afflicted with a viral epidemic is the setting of Ryman's acclaimed novel; winner of the John W. Cambell and Arthur C. Clarke Awards.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"Excellent...Dark and witty and full of love, closely observed, and sprinkled with astonishing ideas. Science fiction of a very high order."--Greg Bear
"A richly absorbing tale--with a marvelous premise expertly carried out."--"Kirkus Reviews"
"One of the most imaginative accounts of futuristic bioengineering since Geg Bear's" Blood Music,""--Locus
"A heady novel bursting with speculation."--"Library Journa"l
"An exuberant celebration of excess set in a resource-poor but defiantly eneregtic 21st century...you will not be bored."--"The New York Times"

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First Sentence
It was an audience of children. Read the first page

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Concordance

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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Back Cover

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Customer Reviews

9 Reviews

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

Average Customer Review

4.6 out of 5 stars (9 customer reviews)

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Most helpful customer reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Not a Dystopia, Sep 5 2003

By	Paul J. Smith "archcorenth" (Bemidji, MN United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm writing this review in response to people who seem to feel Ryman's world of the future is a dystopia. I feel the point of the book is that you're left unsure in this regard. We're told the story from the point of view of an outsider to the system certainly everyone in the system is very nice to her. They are always willing to help even if it sometimes means bending their own laws (Hiding Rolfa) or going far out of their way to do so (as with the previous case or helping Milena in her career). Even the main body of gov't is not a hinderance, but as benevolent as the individuals despite Mileana's mistrust. And it's not as though the people who have gone through the reading are stepford wives either. They are still unique individuals as we see through the affair between Berowne and the Princess. People are just nicer and know more (if not necessarily more intelligent). I do not believe Ryman meant this book to be anti-genetic engineering so much as just showing us how it can change and letting us make up our own minds. As for me I don't see any harm in the possiblity of our world turning into that of this book as it is definately going change in some way. Certainly we are different from the societies before us, so as change must I see no harm in this coming. It's just different not bad.

On the other hand, I would never want to be read myself. I am a very happy well adjusted homosexual and that is something I advocate doesn't need to be fixed. Of course, perhaps I make to much out of orientation, certainly in heaven people won't have any sexual desire at all. And perhaps this means it is something I should not be so worried about giving up on earth despite the knowledge that I won't miss it once I've left it either with death or with being read. I mention this quandary because this and indeed all of Ryman's books (I've actually only read this Was and Lust, but I'm assuming) give rise to constant reveries on my staunchest beliefs. It is for this reason I always think of them as, if not specifically Christian, religious books. Very few authors have the ability to keep me tossing and turning all night from considering what they've written. I think that perhaps C.S. Lewis is the only other. I can't reccomend Ryman well enough and believe those who haven't read him are missing out on something extraordinary.

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4.0 out of 5 stars Wow a book with a Lesbian character you could love., Sep 21 2002

By	RICHARD D. WILLIAMS (Mars) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very convoluted like the virus infected brains of the people of earth in this book. Almost a utopian, communist maifesto. I like it but am afraid I will have to read it again. He writes moving, interesting and unique descriptions of a world that has grown young and aimless; with everyone trying to recapture their youth and the dire consequences of manipulating our DNA. I wonder how he feels about GE food? Very thought provoking. Highly recommended.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant Speculative Fiction, Jul 30 2001

By	Matt Clara (Lansing, MI USA) - See all my reviews

Probably the best book I've read in years (and I just finished an MA in Lit, so I've read a lot of them! :) . It's a cross between Aldous Huxley and Kurt Vonnegut, only without the cynicism! The category of science-fiction isn't broad enough to contain it, and I'd likely label it Speculative Fiction instead.

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Most recent customer reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars I didn't really enjoy it
Take your chances with this book. I didn't like it really. I bought it because it was an award winner. Read more

Published on Aug 29 2000

5.0 out of 5 stars The best book I have ever read
I read this book the first time over 5 years ago and fell in love with it. I continue to reread it on occasion as it never ceases to amaze me!

Published on Dec 8 1999 by M. Anderson

5.0 out of 5 stars for lovers of sci-fi and Dante alike....
This is a truly wonderful book, that deserves a lot more attention than it got. Ryman has an incredible range, a gift for characterization, and has mastered the art for precise... Read more

Published on Feb 5 1999

5.0 out of 5 stars An unbelievably rich book.
I've read this book four or five times, and I get something new out of it every times. Somehow Ryman manages to make the book engrossing and compelling, yet multi-layered and as... Read more

Published on Jan 23 1998