Most helpful customer reviews
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2.0 out of 5 stars
Weak., Jan 14 2002
"Polymorph" tells about Lee, a person with incredible powers of Shapeshifting in near-future New York. When I first heard about this book, I was eager to get it. In fact, it was really not easy to hunt it down, but eventually I managed to get my hands on a copy of the book.
Imagine: a person who can change his/her appearance, who can even change their sex. This sounds like a potential amazing novel! However, the story was absolutely silly. It seems the only "use" for this power the author could think of, was for some strange and lame erotic stories! I find it very boring, and ultimately got very disappointed.
But just to give an honest review of the book: the protagonist of the book, Lee, lives a pretty boring life until she encounters another Polymorph - Bonito, who has evil aspirations of power. Lee must find out how to protect herself, and if possible, destroy Bonito!
The book really had so much potential, pity the plot was so unimaginative, and apparently mainly served to bring to print some of the sexual fantasies of the author. To summarize: bad and boring - Check out 'Axiomatic' of Greg Egan, as I could see there some of the elements of this book, written in a much better way.
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3.0 out of 5 stars
Great insight into polymorphism, but...., Sep 22 2000
I found this story quite interesting right up to the intense conclusion which left me a bit cold. I can best compare the feeling to finding one of those large jars that you might discover on the back shelf of an antiques store, filled with a murky liquid and with something not quite right floating in it. An intriguing curiosity but I don't want to get too close!The characterization was well done. I loved Sam, the deaf super-hacker friend of the hero Freddie. The polymorph, Lee, was very well done and quite believable (within the necessary and somewhat strained suspension of disbelief). I had a problem with Freddie who was well written but was subjected to so many assaults on his friendship and understanding that he must have been superhumanly cool and compasionate. And now to protagonist Lee, antagonist and devil Bonito, and polymorphism. I've enjoyed other shape changing novels, such as those by Czerneda, but this one gave "genuine" insite into the nature of (Westerfield's) polymorphic beings, and the development of their bizarre abilities. He dwells at some length on their insight into human anatomy and mannerisms, gained in various ways, necessary to convincingly emulate another human. I guess that I was hoping for a simpler, more uplifting ending, but taking it for what it was I will certainly recommend this book to those seeking insight into yet another extraordinary possibility in the range of beings that might exist.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Very thought provoking, Jul 19 1999
By A Customer
A great book that makes you think about gender and identity. The plot was a bit weak in parts, but the characters were extremely interesting. Highly recommended.
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