- A Door into Ocean
infobox Book |
name = A Door into Ocean
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author = Joan Slonczewski
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series = Elysium Cycle
genre =Science Fiction
publisher =Arbor House (New York )
release_date = 1986
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media_type = Print (Hardcover &Paperback )
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isbn = ISBN 0877957630
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followed_by =Daughter of Elysium "A Door into Ocean" is a 1986
feminist science fiction novel byJoan Slonczewski . The novel shows themes ofecofeminism andpacifism , combined with Slonczewski's own mastery of knowledge in the field of biology.Plot summary
The novel is set in the future, on the fictional planet of Shora, a moon covered by water. The inhabitants of this planet, known as Sharers, are all female. Sharers use
genetic engineering to control the ecology of their planet. They are peaceful beings who "share" — that is, they have a spiritual and linguistic union with each other and treat everyone equally. The Sharers take egalitarianism for granted because they share and they lack the concept of "power-over", making their society one of peaceful harmony. When they are being threatened by an outside power, they resist nonviolently because they refuse to believe in power. With this spirituality, the Sharers can never be subdued by force.Characters in A Door into Ocean
* Merwin
* Usha
* Spinel
* Uriel
* Lystra
* BereniceLiterary significance and reception
The 1985
Library Journal review highly recommends this novel, saying "Slonczewski creates and all-female nonviolent culture that reaches beyond feminism to a new definition of human nature". [cite journal|date=1985-12-01|title=A Door into Ocean|journal=Library Journal|volume= Vol. 110|issue=Issue 20|pages=p129|issn=0363-0277]Awards and nominations
* "A Door into Ocean" won the 1987
John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel
* It was a nominee for the 1986 Prometheus Award for Best Novel [cite web|url=http://www.lfs.org/novel_nominees.htm|title=Prometheus Award for Best Novel -- Nominees|accessdate=2008-05-16]Publication history
* 1986, USA,
Arbor House ISBN 9780877957638, Pub Date 1986, Hardcover
* 1987, USA,Avon Books ISBN 978-0380701506, Pub Date February 1987, Paperback
* 1987, UK, Women's Press ISBN 978-0704340695, Pub Date 04 June 1987, Paperback
* 2000, USA,Orb Books ISBN 978-0312876524, Pub Date 13 October 2000, Paperbackources, references, external links, quotations
* [http://biology.kenyon.edu/slonc/slonc.htm Joan Slonczewski site]
* [http://biology.kenyon.edu/slonc/books/adoor_art/adoor_study.htm Illustrated guide to "A Door into Ocean"]Notes
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