Details
Synopsis
In the future, corporations use other planets as they did third world countries--as locations for factories and suppliers of cheap labor and materials. When her company decides to move to another planet, 70-year-old Ofelia, realizing that the bureaucracy views her as a burden, decides to remain behind. But she soon discovers that the planet has an indigenous population--one that she must convince to coexist peacefully with her.
| Size | | Length: | 339 pages | | Height: | 9.8 in | | Width: | 6.5 in | | Thickness: | 1.2 in | | Weight: | 23.2 oz |
Industry Reviews
When Ofelia Falfurrias's colony fails to thrive, the colonists are resettled on another planet. Elderly and independent Ofelia hides in the woods, determined to remain alone on the uninhabited world. To her surprise, an indigenous race (The People) appears in her village. They quickly learn Ofelia's language and make her nest-guardian of their babies. When more humans land to investigate her presence, Ofelia acts as ambassador. This anthropological approach to first encounters is highly recommended for sf collections.
Breitman
Employing colonies of contract workers, corporations harvest the resources of alien worlds in the future envisioned here by Moon (Winning Colors). To the faceless bureaucracy that owns her contract, 70-year-old Ofelia Falfurrias is dead weight: too old to work, too old to bear children, she's too old to be worth keeping alive. Tired of being dictated to, Ofelia stays behind when the Company moves the colony to another planet. Her newfound freedom is intoxicating, but she quickly discovers that she is not alone. The planet has an indigenous race, one that has good reason to suspect human interlopers. Ofelia must convince her hosts that she is not a threat; then she'll have to learn to live with them. Moon does a splendid job of bringing her characters to life. Ofelia is as likable as she is cantankerous, and the aliens are vividly imagined. Themes of independence and the value of wisdom form the backbone of this well-written, original novel. (May)
Lopate
YA Failure to become a successful space colony, plus fear of the indigenous non-human population, forces the abandonment of Sims Bancorp Colony. Ofelia, tired of taking orders and too elderly to survive the trip to the next colony, hides until all fellow humans are evacuated. Alone but unafraid, she meets the challenges of survival and eventually befriends the natives who call themselves "The People." Gradually, Ofelia becomes an important member of The People and acts as their diplomatic liaison when a new group of humans return to the planet. Once downtrodden and overlooked, Ofelia rises above her old position to rebuild her self-esteem and redefine herself as she rises to situations calling for her to use her intelligence, emotional fortitude, and abilities. Once she has power, she uses it wisely and justly. The quick pace of the action, the vibrant descriptions, and the quirky aliens and humans will keep readers engrossed in the story. Teens unfamiliar with science fiction will find this as intriguing as those who avidly read the genre. Pam Johnson, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Lopate
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