The Visitor by Sherri S. Tepper

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The Visitor by Sherri S. Tepper
pub: Gollancz. 407 page paperback. Price: Ł 6.99 (UK). ISBN: 0-575-07447-7

check out website: www.orionbooks.co.uk

In the twenty-first century, an asteroid crashes into Earth, wiping out millions and sending the survivors into a world filled with superstition and myths.

‘The Visitor’ links the tale between Nell and Disme Latimer, two women, that span the generations before and after the 'Happening'.

The novel starts with the phrase 'picture this' and it develops in the same as a photograph develops - revealing things slowly and surely before the reader’s eyes.

In this way, Tepper convinces us that magic can exist in our future world and that our gods are not always who we think they are.

Nothing, not even pretty savage attacks at religions and science, is thrust upon the reader. Instead, Tepper reveals everything inch by inch allowing you to grasp and contemplate each idea and character development that is introduced.

However, this is not some dull, plodding text where the author waits patronisingly for the reader to catch up, in fact it was a balancing act between wolfing the book down or savouring each bit of well-written prose.

This was made easier by a lack of tension in the book once you had reached a certain point I felt that it was fairly obvious how the story was going to end - however this did not detract much from the novel.

If you believe that Science Fiction should be a well-mixed blend of lyrical writing and intriguing ideas with a dash of fantasy and magic then this is a book for your wish list.

Katie McGivern

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