- Hardcover: 316 pages
- Publisher: Tor Books (Oct 2005)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 076531097X
- ISBN-13: 978-0765310972
- Product Dimensions: 21 x 14.8 x 3 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 5,312,751 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
Format:Mass Market Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
Bought this book but was a bit apprehensive, thought it would be a bit wishy washy. But it was a good read. Of course it wasn't really about people from another dimension, but more about the trial and tribulations of a refugee family putting down roots in a new country. It was a bit sentimental but hey whats wrong with a bit of sentimentality now and then. Liked the ghosts and thought the ending wrapped it up nicely. Will I read it again? No, will I buy any more of Susan's books? probably not (unless she writes one about Zombies)
Format:Mass Market Paperback
In another dimension, in a middle eastern style world, a man kills a woman. The punishment for this: exile. for him, and his entire family and relatives. They come to our world, and land in a refugee camp in the middle of america. How will they cope? Helped by a kindly church worker, the family are able to integrate and become american. But it's a stranew new world for them to adjust to. And what really happened back in their world when the woman died?
The meat of this novel is the story of how the family come to terms with american life. Whilst this could, in the hands of a less skilled writer, just have been a tale of ordinary refugees and thus not really science fiction, the quality of the characterisation and the writing here is such that the main characters really do feel as if they've come from another dimension.
The first chapter of the book is a little stodgy and does seem to cover a surprising lot of ground, but stick with it because the meat of the story doesn't start till chapter two and at that point, it becomes very readable.
You will find yourself caring for these characters, and hoping things work out for them. A really good book and well worth reading. aly
The meat of this novel is the story of how the family come to terms with american life. Whilst this could, in the hands of a less skilled writer, just have been a tale of ordinary refugees and thus not really science fiction, the quality of the characterisation and the writing here is such that the main characters really do feel as if they've come from another dimension.
The first chapter of the book is a little stodgy and does seem to cover a surprising lot of ground, but stick with it because the meat of the story doesn't start till chapter two and at that point, it becomes very readable.
You will find yourself caring for these characters, and hoping things work out for them. A really good book and well worth reading. aly
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
11 reviews
24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
A lovely book
12 Jan 2006
Format:Hardcover
Susan Palwick's "A Necessary Beggar" is a work of extreme richness, both fascinating and moving. The highly believable and convincing parallel-dimensional culture she has created would float a whole series of novels if she were inclined to write them, and yet, in a sense it's merely the "back story". The main story, told with a huge emotional range from deliciously wry satire to heart-rending pathos is about humanity and inhumanity. We see from the outside and the inside what xenophobia, religious intolerance, and unfeeling, unimaginative bureaucracy mean in the immigrant experience, as well as how the good in people (of whatever ethnicity) can overcome this. By the end of the novel I was almost cheering with delight. And Mike, yes this could make a movie-of-the-week on the Lifetime channel, but so could "The Scarlet Letter"! Don't confuse openness to feeling with sentimental wallowing.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
A Breath of Fresh Air
11 Jan 2006
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
"The Necessary Beggar" is a breath of fresh air in the SF/Fantasy market place. Rather than having the stereotypical, and all too common these days, bombs, guns and aliens, Palwick weaves a story about the humanity in us all. Her story of the exiles from Lemabantunk is about redemption and understanding.
I strongly disagree with Mike's review. Palwick's story is told with emotion, but it doesn't make it melodramatic. Her characters are trying to come to grips with a new language, and a new culture, and, heck, a new dimension. The struggle of the elders to change is crafted with believability, as shown in the grudging acceptance by Timbor, and with the slow-boiling hatred shown by Macsofo. Reminiscent of tales of multi-cultural families in the U.S. where children adapt to new culture much better, Zama is able to adopt the culture much easier, yet her willingness to embrace her family's cultural connection brings about the resolution in the novel. Palwick varies points of view in the chapters to show the struggles of Timbor's family in the literal "new" world, while a back story of Darroti and Gallicina provide a haunting mystery that is shocking to the reader in its unraveling.
The treatment of the exiles and the social commentary provided by Palwick in the novel holds a mirror up to our current beliefs in America. This self-reflection offered can be uncomfortable when we see how our society treats other people who are considered outsiders or undesirables. But this mirror also shows that there are good people. Mike objects to Palwick's characterization of Jerry the jock. I say it is refreshing because she doesn't stereotype him into a typical jock. She makes him compassionate. This is a strength to the novel, not a weakness.
In the dark post 9/11 world, if you're seeking to read a novel that reaffirms hope and humanity, I strongly recommend "The Necessary Beggar."
I strongly disagree with Mike's review. Palwick's story is told with emotion, but it doesn't make it melodramatic. Her characters are trying to come to grips with a new language, and a new culture, and, heck, a new dimension. The struggle of the elders to change is crafted with believability, as shown in the grudging acceptance by Timbor, and with the slow-boiling hatred shown by Macsofo. Reminiscent of tales of multi-cultural families in the U.S. where children adapt to new culture much better, Zama is able to adopt the culture much easier, yet her willingness to embrace her family's cultural connection brings about the resolution in the novel. Palwick varies points of view in the chapters to show the struggles of Timbor's family in the literal "new" world, while a back story of Darroti and Gallicina provide a haunting mystery that is shocking to the reader in its unraveling.
The treatment of the exiles and the social commentary provided by Palwick in the novel holds a mirror up to our current beliefs in America. This self-reflection offered can be uncomfortable when we see how our society treats other people who are considered outsiders or undesirables. But this mirror also shows that there are good people. Mike objects to Palwick's characterization of Jerry the jock. I say it is refreshing because she doesn't stereotype him into a typical jock. She makes him compassionate. This is a strength to the novel, not a weakness.
In the dark post 9/11 world, if you're seeking to read a novel that reaffirms hope and humanity, I strongly recommend "The Necessary Beggar."
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
An incredible book
27 Feb 2006
Format:Hardcover
I read this book in one long sitting, staying up most of the night to do so. The story, which is told without ostentation, grows in power as it progresses. It depicts struggles -- and answers to them -- in a realistic and unflinching way without ever giving way to bathos, and the end is both unexpected and yet necessary given what came before. When I finished the book I felt deeply satisfied. The novel resonated for me on many levels, and continues to do so months after I first read it.
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