Slow River - Softcover

Griffith, Nicola

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0006480330 ISBN 13: 9780006480334

Publisher: Harper Voyager, 1995

Synopsis

Once the favourite daughter of one of the world's most powerful families, Lore van Oesterling is now nobody with no-one to talk to. Not the police, and not her family. Who are you when you have nothing left? Lore is about to find out.

About this title

Review:

Slow River won both the Nebula Award and the Lambda Literary Award for author Nicola Griffith. The book's near-future setting and devices place it firmly on the science fiction shelves, and the characters' matter-of-fact sexuality further label it as lesbian SF. But make no mistake, Slow River is no subgenre throwaway. Griffith's skill at weaving temporal threads through the plot bring protagonist Lore van de Oest tragically to life, and you will genuinely care about her in the end. Born into a bioengineering family made wealthy by cleaning up after humanity, Lore leads a life of privilege and power. Riches don't bring happiness, though, and the van de Oest family hides its share of dark secrets. Lore is kidnapped, but escapes from her captors when she realizes her family isn't going to pay the ransom. Naked, alone, and wounded, she is saved by the brutally street-smart Spanner, who teaches Lore to survive by exploiting the Net's (and human beings') weaknesses. To learn to trust, though, Lore must face her demons, one by one, until she can begin again.

Griffith's biotech-science details are accurate, and she fits them smoothly into the story in the manner of a cyberpunk master. This novel's real strength is its characters, though. The van de Oest family, Spanner, even characters who appear only briefly, are all distinct and consistent--not to mention very human. Lore herself seems so personal that Griffith's note about the story's disturbing aspects not being autobiographical was probably wise. Slow River is more than good enough to transcend genre and appeal to both science fiction fans and a broader audience looking for an excellent, character-driven sci-fi story. -- Therese Littleton

Review:

"Thrilling...A stately measured voyage down the secret streams inside us all...Packed with memorable events."

"Displaying a mastery of craft...Griffith has fashioned a pacan to the human spirit, engaging both the mind and heart."

"With her rich imagination, Griffith has created an intriguing world and a character who not only makes her way through it with boldness and creativity, but takes the time to reflect as she goes."

About this edition

• Publisher: Harper Voyager
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0006480330
• ISBN 13: 9780006480334
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 300