- Mass Market Paperback: 372 pages
- Publisher: Ace Books; 1 edition (Dec 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0441010946
- ISBN-13: 978-0441010943
- Product Dimensions: 19.6 x 15 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 1,603,970 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I certainly would not hesitate to recommend this book to anyone. Ms. Thomson takes us on a journey to the planet of Thalassa. There some humans are able to commune and work with the harsel's, the planet's rulers.
Samad, a poor boy, encounters Teller, the most famous storyteller on the planet. Through Teller's compassion and her harsel's connivance, they end up together. Samad finds out who Teller is and her role in the planet's history.
At times the story gets a little corny, but I still had to read the book through.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
7 reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Aunique, amazing reading experience
2 Dec 2003
Format:Mass Market Paperback
The planet of Thalassa is mostly a water world with two million inhabitants spread out on numerous islands. The first person who lived on that world was the pilot who burned out on her last Jump and was stranded. Jumping is so addictive that the pilot wanted to die but the harsel (a sea creature similar to a whale) bonded with her and refused to let her pass away. Together they explored The Pilot's new world and when the colonists came, she was able to hide herself in plain sight.
Centuries later in a small village, the Guild storyteller Teller notices the street child Samad and informally adopts him. He learns to love her harsel Abeha, who encourages the closeness Teller feels for Samad for soon she will become a female and have her eggs fertilized. After she gives birth she will die and Abeha wants to make sure her human will not follow her by giving her someone else to love. The plan works better than anyone, especially Samad, expected.
This is a rich, in depth cultural look at a society that is not technologically advanced. Those humans that can bond with harsels form a communication web that allows an island society to stay in touch with another. It is gratifyng to watch Samad change from a frightened street kid to an adult who bears his losses and responsibilities with dignity and honor. STORYTELLER is a unique, amazing reading experience.
Harriet Klausner
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
the choices we make
4 Jan 2004
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Humanity has come the the planet Thalassa, but they are not the only sentient beings living there. The acquatic, telepathic harsel live in the oceans. How both come to live together in a harmony as rare as it is wonderful, is this fine story of choices, the choices humankind must make to live in peace out among the stars, to the inner choices we all make. A fine story, beautifully done, I highly recommend it
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
"Teller Will Be Waiting for You..."
27 Mar 2005
Format:Mass Market Paperback
I was hesitant as I started the book - it shuffled along at a halting pace for the first chapter or so as histories and characters were laid out. Once the strong voice of Teller was established, however, the book sailed along cleanly.
The myth of The Pilot, the life of Teller and her adopted son, Samad - all revolving around choices and growth - moved me immensely. Surviving great losses being a central theme to the book - the sort of losses that all involved see no way through and yet years later can look back at with a realization of a passage or a lesson learned.
Amy Thomson handles all of this with extreme care - the tender relationship that grows fiercely personal between Teller and Samad, Teller's long-time lover, Florio, the people that both Samad and Teller interact with.
I agree with another reviewer, however, that Thomson really dumps the emotional growth side of Samad's sexuality right into the gutter. Samad's homosexuality is a casual jibe between he and Teller, a thing that happens after dark at shipyards and parks and fast - a thing that fades in the day.
Some part of that might be a growth process for Samad - wild, reckless and unwilling to form long-term relationships with others outside of his 'family' and perhaps at the close of the book the mature Samad who begins to find his own voice and way in the world of Thalassa & harsels will be the Samad who also develops lasting relationships with other men - perhaps.
But this is just a tic of the book - and should not distract from the central message and themes. This book was cathartic for me and had me a bit emotional (happy & sad) as the book drew the its end and sailed away into the sunset.
The myth of The Pilot, the life of Teller and her adopted son, Samad - all revolving around choices and growth - moved me immensely. Surviving great losses being a central theme to the book - the sort of losses that all involved see no way through and yet years later can look back at with a realization of a passage or a lesson learned.
Amy Thomson handles all of this with extreme care - the tender relationship that grows fiercely personal between Teller and Samad, Teller's long-time lover, Florio, the people that both Samad and Teller interact with.
I agree with another reviewer, however, that Thomson really dumps the emotional growth side of Samad's sexuality right into the gutter. Samad's homosexuality is a casual jibe between he and Teller, a thing that happens after dark at shipyards and parks and fast - a thing that fades in the day.
Some part of that might be a growth process for Samad - wild, reckless and unwilling to form long-term relationships with others outside of his 'family' and perhaps at the close of the book the mature Samad who begins to find his own voice and way in the world of Thalassa & harsels will be the Samad who also develops lasting relationships with other men - perhaps.
But this is just a tic of the book - and should not distract from the central message and themes. This book was cathartic for me and had me a bit emotional (happy & sad) as the book drew the its end and sailed away into the sunset.
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