Nekropolis
4 journalers for this copy...
From amazon.com:
Hariba, a poor young Near Eastern woman, sells herself into a slavery guaranteed by "jessing," a biochemical process that makes her permanently loyal to her owner. She would be content, if not happy, in her new house-servant's life--if her mistress didn't own a harni. A harni is a chimera, a genetically engineered man who may or may not be human, but who is stunningly handsome and who treats Hariba with a gentle, attentive consideration she has never before experienced. The chimera, Akhmim, is so unlike Hariba's expectations that her fear and hatred give way to love and, impossibly, to dissatisfaction with her scientifically cemented loyalty. Hariba and Akhmin flee to the Nekropolis, the Moroccan cemetery/ghetto in which she grew up. But her family and best friend are unhappy to see her and horrified by the chimera, and running away from her bonded master precipitates a serious, potentially fatal illness. Her family and friends are too poor and too afraid of arrest to hire a physician. And the unfailingly patient and considerate chimera begins to have strange effects on the women in Hariba's life.
Hariba, a poor young Near Eastern woman, sells herself into a slavery guaranteed by "jessing," a biochemical process that makes her permanently loyal to her owner. She would be content, if not happy, in her new house-servant's life--if her mistress didn't own a harni. A harni is a chimera, a genetically engineered man who may or may not be human, but who is stunningly handsome and who treats Hariba with a gentle, attentive consideration she has never before experienced. The chimera, Akhmim, is so unlike Hariba's expectations that her fear and hatred give way to love and, impossibly, to dissatisfaction with her scientifically cemented loyalty. Hariba and Akhmin flee to the Nekropolis, the Moroccan cemetery/ghetto in which she grew up. But her family and best friend are unhappy to see her and horrified by the chimera, and running away from her bonded master precipitates a serious, potentially fatal illness. Her family and friends are too poor and too afraid of arrest to hire a physician. And the unfailingly patient and considerate chimera begins to have strange effects on the women in Hariba's life.
This is a wonderful story of a love that cannot be. It just happens to take place a world a little more technologically advanced than ours.
The writing is rich and the story moves along at a good pace. I really liked the characters and the semi futuristic world. McHugh has created a universe much like our current one but with subtle changes that, although obviously not of today's world, are not so far fetched.
I really enjoyed the novel and highly recommend it.
The writing is rich and the story moves along at a good pace. I really liked the characters and the semi futuristic world. McHugh has created a universe much like our current one but with subtle changes that, although obviously not of today's world, are not so far fetched.
I really enjoyed the novel and highly recommend it.
Received from themarina directly at the Movie meets book night, Davinci Code. I don't know if I'll read it, it's not my usual genre. We'll see.
Journal Entry 4 by 13russell at Bread Garden @ Metrotown Mall (near Zellers) in Burnaby, British Columbia Canada on Monday, June 26, 2006
Released 17 yrs ago (6/26/2006 UTC) at Bread Garden @ Metrotown Mall (near Zellers) in Burnaby, British Columbia Canada
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
I will not likely read this anytime soon as it's not really my genre and I have a few others stacking up. Taking it to the Meetup.
I will not likely read this anytime soon as it's not really my genre and I have a few others stacking up. Taking it to the Meetup.
Caught at the Burnaby BookCrossing Meetup.
Thanks themarina & 13Russell!
Thanks themarina & 13Russell!
Excellent book! Maureen F. McHugh has created an all too believable world far in our future...
Great characters, lots to think about here (but McHugh doesn't preach). Very subtle writing.
Great characters, lots to think about here (but McHugh doesn't preach). Very subtle writing.
Added to my Science Fiction/Fantasy BookBox.
Hoping it finds another appreciative reader!
If you've 'lost the thread', here is is (I hope):
Forum-BookRings, Bookrays, and BookBoxes: 7/5/2006
Happy reading!
Hoping it finds another appreciative reader!
If you've 'lost the thread', here is is (I hope):
Forum-BookRings, Bookrays, and BookBoxes: 7/5/2006
Happy reading!
removed from bookbox.
Sounds really intreguing. Thanks for deciding to including this one!