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Publisher's Summary

The Sharers of Shora are a nation of women on a distant moon in the far future. They are pacifists, they are highly advanced in biological sciences, and they reproduce by parthenogenesis - because there are no males. Conflict erupts when a militaristic neighboring civilization decides to develop their ocean world and sends in an army. A groundbreaking work both of feminist science fiction and of world-building hard science fiction, A Door into Ocean is the novel that made Joan Slonczewski's reputation as an important science-fiction writer.
©1986 Joan Slonczewski (P)2008 Blackstone Audio, Inc.
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Critic Reviews

"[A] dreamy, poetic book...very much in the spirit of Dune or Le Guin's works. It's tough to build a world, particularly if you try to get the science correct. Author Slonczewski accomplishes that difficult feat and manages a gripping plot into the bargain. Maybe LeGuin has competition." ( San Francisco Examiner)
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful
4 out of 5 stars
By Suzanna on 07-21-13

Complex World-building Sci-Fi

This was a very interesting book, reminding me of some of Sherri Tepper's works. This book outlines a conflict between a patriarchal military culture and a water world populated by women whose technology is biologically based. The book moves slowly, but as I kept listening I was drawn into the story of how these two cultures interact.

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3 of 3 people found this review helpful

2 out of 5 stars
By Jim "The Impatient" on 09-05-13

Only Lesser Races produce Males

I got this cause it was a water world and because it is a prequel to Brain Plague. I did not realize it was a feminist book. Before you get all emotional on me, that is exactly what it says in most summaries of the book. There are even insects who gossip. Had I know it was a feminist book, I might have still bought it. Had I had read the reviews and know it moves slower then molasses, I would not have.

WHO RULES WITHOUT BEING RULED
This is a water world without men. They are pacifists and blame men for war and the ruin of most planets. They live in a commune, where money is worthless. If anybody wants or needs something they will just give it to them. They run around naked, but they don't have sex. They do not drink liquor. Shaving themselves seems to be there biggest joy.

SHE CLOSED HER EYES SAVORING THE SALT OF HIS TONGUE

Joan is a biology teacher in college and she does come up with an interesting world. The prose is excellent, it is good writing, word wise. The story is just not good enough to hold my attention for 18 hours. It reads kind of like a romance novel without the romance. Everybody wanted to know how everybody else feels about this that and the other thing. Some women may like this a lot. Women seem to want to know how you feel and men want to know what you think. I am not passing judgement on which is better just making an observation.

The narrator is very laid back. She reminded me of Saturday Night Live, when they spoof NPR. This mostly likely represents the mood of the book as it is written.

A good water world book with lots of crazy biology and lots more action would be Skinner, by Neal Asher.

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16 of 20 people found this review helpful

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