Dryland's End

by Felice Picano

Book Overview

"In a time of intergalactic peace and faster-than-light travel, a group of intelligent cybernetic servants has rebelled against their creators using a cyber-virus that could lead to the extinction of humans and near-human species. Tension mounts as political factions across the known systems use this crisis to attempt to overthrow the controlling regime-the women-led Matriarchy. Filled with subterfuge, compassion, and unexpected surprises, famed author...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1563332795
• ISBN13: 9781563332791
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Richard Kasak Book
• Length: 500 Pages
• Weight: 1.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Gay Themed Science fiction

We are at the end of a millenary Galactic Empire. A Matriarchy rules. Unfortunately, a virus has developed that has rendered women infertile and unable to reproduce. This, obviously, threatens their dominance. Ay'r, the protagonist, his companion Pa'l, and a representative of the Matriarchy, are sent to the flooding world Pelagia on a mysterious mission. The book has a magnificent prose that narrates the exploration of the doomed world of Pelagia, its rapidly developing tribes, and the strange mythology of the inhabitants. The homosexual ability to reproduce becomes the central research that Ay'r's parents were developing in Pelagia, and Mr. Picano guides us through this discovery in a brilliant and enjoyable way. Meanwhile, a cyber-rebellion threatens the Matriarchy and all humanity. The solution to this crisis is somewhat linked to what happens on Pelagia... In spite of its gay thematic, it is one of the best science fiction books ever written.

A simple warning... Mostly just about the loveliness.

Please do note. If you love science fiction you will enjoy this but it has very progressive themes. So if you think your male pride will get hurt... Maybe you shouldn't read it.. If you enjoy alternative sexual oriention lesbian or gay male then you might enjoy it. But remember this book is first Science Fiction before it is gay. If you don't enjoy both in some capacity this will not be a good read and should be avoided. Everyone has different taste in books. You should know already whether you would be interested or not. As far as the characters I do agree that their was amazing development. They really did exist in my mind. The plot is conceivable as in way way in the future conceivable. Some things did make me question the validity of the situations. But not enough to dislike or turn away from it and I'm the type who would find those things. Beautiful piece of Science fiction.

Great read, lot's of detail, intellectual space drama

I read the book when it was first published. I couldn't put it down. The characters are charismatic, the setting interesting, the advanced science was enthralling yet believable. If I had a holodeck, I would visit all the settings and characters in Drylands End. If only life on earth could be as exciting! Having read many things by Picano, science fiction was a side of him that I hadn't seen. I wanted the book to go on and on.After finishing the book I was lost. Someone needs to do a screenplay of this story. If you enjoy a good read that is captivating and draws you right into the story, don't let it's length stop you, this one is a MUST!

A true sleeper, but perhaps Felice Picano's best book

This is not your average sci-fi novel. It ranks among the best, including 2001. Picano creates an imminently believable future where the "three species" live in relative, but strained harmony under the slowly unraveling Martriarchy.Much like Star Wars, the book chronicles the disintegration of the Matriarchy but has numerous and intriguing subplots: a philosophical cyber rebellion; the burgeoning autonomy of a "wild west" planet that's filled with the equivalent of mega oil fields and Los Angeles-like denizens in search of sinful fun; and realpolitik power struggles within the Matriarchy itself. Also intertwined is the search for a cure to a virus that threatens to end human reproduction The cure is found on the slowly flooding distant planet of Dryland -- hence the title. The world created by Picano is phenomenally believable and even prescient. He introduces the reader to new languages, new forms of space travel, new cultures, new species -- bu! t he bases everything on plausible science. His knowledge of geology, space, military tactics and history are almost encyclopedic. Dryland's End is perhaps the most intelligent page-turning Sci Fi novel I have ever read. I honestly couldn't put it down. Picano is the master of plot! Other Picano books include "Like People in History" "Ambidextrous" and "The Lure." Enjoy!

Despite sloppy editing, it is worth the trip

Set 5000 years in the future, Dryland's End is a queer-friendly sci-fi book that takes some getting used to but in the end is a fascinating experience. Picano not only makes up worlds and societies, he also invents some languages to go along with them. This makes for some confusing passages, not at all helped by the extremely sloppy editing that has been perpetrated here. Characters who are not in a particular scene all of a sudden are identified as having made a statement, simple words are misspelled, etc. and sometimes you may feel like throwing the book across the room. But wait. Eventually the thousands of characters and many different subplots come together and it turns out that it wasn't that byzantine a plot in the first place. If you enjoy taking a look at what our descendants might be up against in the future, take a look here. You might be dissappointed but you won't be terribly bored. If you have not read a Picano book before, I suggest starting with Ambidextrous, but fans will have a good time here.