Strandia - Hardcover

Reynolds, Susan Lynn

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0374372748 ISBN 13: 9780374372743

Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux, 1991

Synopsis

Punished for fleeing her duties as a member of Strandia's privileged class, Sand is rescued by her dolphin friend M'ridan and learns of a disaster threatening her homeland

About this title

From Kirkus Reviews:

A first novel that presents an imaginary world with unusual creativity and intelligence. On the island of Strandia, the lordly raeth control the beaches, their telepathically gifted women garnering fish by summoning the dolphin-like doraado to herd them; only the less privileged midislanders engage in productive crafts. Sand, fugitive from an unwanted marriage with an overweening fellow-raeth, is hidden among the midislanders and learns to value them; captured and punished by being set adrift on the ``Mother'' (ocean), she lands on the ``Continent,'' learns that a tidal wave governed by a comet's rare appearance threatens Strandia, and returns to save her people. The writing is a bit uneven here, especially at the outset, but readers caught up in the exciting, carefully structured story aren't likely to notice occasional clumsy passages. Reynolds has invented a considerable vocabulary, nicely introduced by context; an ecology, including a seaweed used for birth control; a complex social structure that will make readers reevaluate their own with a fresh eye; even a mythology that cleverly parallels celestial events predicted by the sophisticated scholars on the Continent. Characters are briskly sketched; the unique relationship between Sand and her special doraado friend is delightful. The lively action is alternated with peaceful interludes that are even more entrancing; the touching but unhackneyed conclusion will especially please those who like to see a strong woman control her own destiny. A fine debut. (Fiction. 12+) -- Copyright ©1991, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

From Publishers Weekly:

Sand, a privileged upper-class girl on the mythic island of Strandia, is gifted with the ability to telepathically summon dolphins and compel them to fish for her family. When Sand refuses to go along with an arranged marriage, she sets in motion a series of personal and social crises that come to a head just as her home is threatened by natural catastrophe. Reynolds's first novel is plagued with graceless exposition, sloppy pacing and jarring changes in point of view--and some of her best scenes are disturbingly reminiscent of Madeleine L'Engle's A Ring of Endless Light . Nevertheless, the author's skillful command of imagery and symbols, together with her unfailing respect for the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity, makes this a worthwhile read. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux
• Publication date: 1991
• ISBN 10: 0374372748
• ISBN 13: 9780374372743
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 277