bookworming my way through the library catalog.

[katster]

[Poll #1052825]

I tried to give you amazon links, but the poll did not like it. And yeah, I have 42 items out from the library, this is just the six that come due the soonest. (I try to read somewhat in order of when I get them out unless a book comes through that needs priority because it's popular.)

So help me out and give me advice on what to read next.

Comments

[malakim.livejournal.com]

I know nothing about any of the listed books, so am not voting.

I will, however, give you my experience with another Harry Turtledove book, Gunpowder Empires.

First, let me say I love alternate timeline/alternate history stuff. :)

Gunpowder Empires is interesting. Premise is that in the future we discover how to visit alternate Earths. Some are very close to ours with only minor changes. Some of them humans never came about (they basically use these for massive natural materials mining). Some, like the one the book takes place in, have significant changes. In this one, Rome never fell, so most of the European world is still controlled by the Roman Empire, and still has a relatively low tech level. They trade items of a slightly better tech level with worlds like this for more "processed" goods, mainly foodstuffs.

One thing that really got me about this book, though, are some of the views of the main characters. Without giving too much away, this is what strikes me as odd. The two main characters, a brother and sister, comment a few times on the slavery prevalent in this alternate Earth. They say that yes, it's bad, but you can't help it in societies such as this. They don't allow the Crosstime Traders (what they do) to have slaves even though it would make them fit in more because what if they found all the future tech, etc. It's pitiable that it happens, but they're not to interfere.

Later in the book, the boy is gifted with a fur coat. You'd think from their reactions that the author personally was skinned as a child or something! The boy comments on how he feels like throwing up just touching the thing, and the girl has to use a broom handle to pick it up and hide it in a box. She won't even touch the lid of the box to open it to put it in, or to close it afterwards.

So that disparity in reactions really tends to stick in my craw. It's sad that people are sold and traded like property, but heavens above! I get sick at the thought of people using furs for clothing and warmth! Woe is me! *swoon*

Sheesh.