Sign in with Facebook
Jamie Collins's Reviews > Eifelheim
Eifelheim
by
by
Jamie Collins's review
bookshelves: science-fiction, historical-fiction, medieval, scifi-aliens
Nov 17, 2007
bookshelves: science-fiction, historical-fiction, medieval, scifi-aliens
Fascinating book! This is a blending of sci-fi and historical fiction: a first-contact scenario that takes place in a 14th-century German village. The villagers must deal with aliens among them while the threat of the Black Plague presses in from all sides; meanwhile modern-day researchers are trying to unravel the mystery of a medieval village that was abandoned and never resettled.
The premise is a little far-fetched but the book is so well written that you hardly notice. I'm definitely going to seek out more of this author's work.
** Mild spoilers **
It's a little hard to swallow the idea of medieval villagers tolerating the presence of aliens that look like giant insects. I don't think our instinctive aversion to such beings would be so easily overcome even now.
The premise is a little far-fetched but the book is so well written that you hardly notice. I'm definitely going to seek out more of this author's work.
** Mild spoilers **
It's a little hard to swallow the idea of medieval villagers tolerating the presence of aliens that look like giant insects. I don't think our instinctive aversion to such beings would be so easily overcome even now.
Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read
Eifelheim.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
November 17, 2007
– Shelved
Started Reading
December 1, 2007
–
Finished Reading
December 27, 2007
– Shelved as:
science-fiction
December 30, 2007
– Shelved as:
historical-fiction
March 30, 2013
– Shelved as:
medieval
August 9, 2015
– Shelved as:
scifi-aliens
Comments Showing 1-5 of 5 (5 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Jon
(last edited Mar 31, 2010 01:52PM)
(new)
-
added it
Mar 31, 2010 11:31AM
Jamie, I completely agree with your observation regarding tolerance of giant insect-like aliens. Otherwise, I enjoyed this first contact SF/historical fiction novel.
reply
|
flag
I'm going to have to read this book now! I did think of one way that the medieval villagers could 'make sense' of the insects... Did they think they were angels?
No, actually, the opposite (at least some of them). Put the village priests were, shall we say, more enlightened. :)
Well, at least they were grasshoppers, and not roaches or any other disgusting insects! I've always rather liked grasshoppers. When they're small, that is.
Me too...I blame it on James and the Giant Peach.Well, you all have talked me into it. Its on hold at the Library for me now.
