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Slow River Discussion

"I was just surfing, and came across your review of Slow River by Nicola Griffith. You wonder how/why the book won the Nebula over Diamond Age and Expiration Date. My own opinion (worth just what I'm charging for it, of course) is that Slow River won because it works so well as science fiction.

In an essay in "The Jewel-Hinged Jaw", Delany suggests that one of the distinguishing features of sf is that the world itself is a major character in the book. As one example, think about the ways in which images of waste treatment parallel the ways in which Lor deals with the pollution in her own life. Overall, I think the rich interaction between theme, world, and plot in this book is exemplary within the field.

I enjoyed Diamond Age and Expiration Date. The majority of my pleasure in both books was at their surface, in their imaginative detail. I wasn't impressed by the thematics of either: Expiration Date has none to speak of, and Diamond Age's thematics are relatively sophomoric. Whereas, for me, Slow River speaks about some pretty profound and complex things: damage and healing, trust and exploitation, the joy and distancing of living on the surface of life." - Steve S. 12/16/97

Interesting comments ­ thanks. I have an unusual impression thinking about these three books. While reading Diamond Age and Expiration Date, I liked them both much better than Slow River. Remembering them now though, I have a much stronger positive feeling for Slow River ­ probably because of the depth you refer to. The characters felt real, like people I know.

I don't think the thematics were that unequal though, mainly on different levels. The deeper meanings in Diamond Age seemed more on a sociological or cultural level; in Expiration Date a psychological one; and Slow River was a relationship theme. The first two were abstract and the third very personal. ­ Steve 12/16/97

Please email comments to stroy@jade-mtn.com.

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