ecl@mtgzz.UUCP (e.c.leeper) (10/02/85)
THE GALLATIN DIVERGENCE by L. Neil Smith
Del Rey, 1985, $2.95.
A book review by Evelyn C. Leeper
This is apparently part of a series of books by Smith set in the same
universe, or rather, set of alternate universes. (other books in the series
include TOM PAINE MARU, THE NAGASAKI VECTOR, and THE PROBABILITY BROACH).
This one is set at the time of the Whiskey Rebellion in a universe in which
was formed the North American Confederacy instead of the United States.
I really wish I liked Smith's writing style more--he has such
interesting ideas, but I find his books agony to read. The first-person,
"slangy" style in which he writes does not flow well (at least to me) and
attempting to follow the various speaking styles of the characters (one of
whom is a dolphin--what is it with dolphins these days? Every third author
seems to feel he should include intelligent dolphins in his novels) is not
an easy task. If you can take the style, I would recommend it, but it's not
for everyone.
Evelyn C. Leeper
...ihnp4!mtgzz!ecl