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Snow Queen Discussion

"I'm glad to see this book has been widely-read enough to make a top 100 list. It is certainly one of my favorites. I wanted to write you because I think you're dead wrong in your comments on the book when you say that only one of the male characters exhibits anything even approaching integrity (although I WOULD agree that Sparks, the male protagonist, doesn't come out strong in this area). The male characters, major and minor, are a mixed bag of good and bad in the same way that most of the female characters are. Miroe Ngenet, while he doesn't necessarily obey the law, acts for the greater good: establishing a sanctuary for the mers; buying contraband tech items so that pockets of civilization will remain after the offworlders leave; showing compassion to, and helping, someone who he perhaps ought to have viewed as an enemy (Jerusha PalaThion). BZ Gundhalinu, who stands by Jerusha rather than caving into peer pressure, and who selflessly helps Moon, whom he loves, find happiness even though it means he will lose her. (Further, he develops into an even better/more moral/more compassionate person in the later books). TJ Aspundh (he's no longer alive during the time of this story, but we are told about him by Elsevier) who tried to persuade entire worlds to grant freedom and equality to all beings, regardless of gender or species, and who put himself in mortal danger time and again in championing these ideals. Cress, Danaquil Lu, and KR Aspundh are others who come across as being decent men, each doing something to better the lives of others.

As for the women, they're certainly not all perfect. Arienrhod is the most obvious example of someone for whom the word "integrity" has no value. Tor Starhiker robs a provincial innocent, works for the Source in a drug-selling gambling casino, and only sides with the forces of law when genocide is the alternative. Jerusha PalaThion is lawful to the point of sacrificing a large measure of compassion for those who are on the wrong side of the law, regardless of their reasons for being there. Even Moon herself comes to understand that she is willing to use and endanger others in pursuit of her goals.

Yes, women are far more in the limelight in this book than in the vast majority of the books you'll find in the fantasy/sci fi section. It stikes me that I can't recall hearing anyone complaining about the countless books that focus on men and fail to have any superlative women. But I really don't think the Snow Queen should be viewed as a tool in some gender battle. On the whole, I think Joan Vinge's treatment of her characters is very even-handed: Male or female, no one is totally good, and no one, even Arienrhod, is totally evil. Rather, it speaks to truths about PEOPLE. That's one of the reasons I like the book so much.

So, any chance you'll revise your comments? I would hate for any reader, male or female, to get turned-off of reading the Snow Queen because he/she is afraid it'll be full of male-bashing." ­ Lisa 1/23/98

I reworked this review but after reading your comments and thinking about it more, I still basically agree with that point. Not that the men were all "bad" and the women all "good" - it seemed to have more to do with "weak" and "strong". I think science fiction led the way in giving women more prominence. Think of Dream Snake and Ursula Le Guin's books for a start. But "limelight" isn't the point ­ there has been too much focusing on men and also lots of appropriate complaining about it. I love taking my teenage daughters to women's college basketball games and watching the men cheerleaders jumping around. I really hope that they don't in any way get the impression that they have to take a back seat to men. At the same time, I hope the men in their lives aren't weak and unable to relate as equals. ­ Steve 1/23/98

"I think this is a future classic - I was enormously impressed . . . It has the weight and texture of . . . Dune. Hell of an achievement." - Arthur C. Clarke (from book jacket)

"A fine tale, a pleasure to read. . . I recommend it most highly." - Roger Zelazny (from book jacket)

"Joan Vinge's Snow Queen is a book I wish I'd written. . . a splendid novel." - Anne McCaffrey

"Reading Vinge is like running the hands over satinwood. An unusual novel, full of richly woven characters. Welcome to a big one!" - Theodore Sturgeon

"Draws you in and does not let you go...The Snow Queen is a piece of lace: its threads twist and mesh together to form a patter of complexity and beauty." - Vonda N. McIntyre

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

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