The Child Garden; or a Low Comedy

The Child Garden, written in the midst of the initial AIDS onslaught, a book that has as its subtext the then-emerging field of viral genomics... which the author wrestles onto its shoulder with some weird linguistic jiu-jitsu for a two-point takedown, is not to be missed! Ryman's sense of pacing, at least in the book's first section, is brilliant. Unfortunately the work begins to falter afterwards; it's as if his fireworks go dark, and we are left with dry shavings where once magnesium burned so bright. The development falls apart, and the logical expression of consequences becomes boring, and if never particularly formulaic (Ryman is too clever by half), somewhat confusing.Lots of fun ideas, too many not explored fully, some followed by the author to an end that baffles the reader (what happened, for example, to the Snide? Why is it important that Milena be Czech? And more that I won't bore you with). Lastly, the conclusion seems completely uncalled for by the book's opening chapters - I sensed that Ryman was writing in a hurry, that his pace of creation outsped his need to review. Why as much as four stars? Because although I was not satisfied with the work as a whole, much of the writing, as writing, was truly excellent.The current edition is not helped by lazy proofreading: incomprehensible that any typos should exist. Did Ryman read the proofs? One would hope not! Nor would I advise reading Wendy Pearson's introduction - not at least until you have finished the book. Who cares what she thinks? Form your own conclusions before reading hers. After all, the book's an entertainment, and, regardless Pearson, not necessarily a commentary on the world of then, nor is it going to be particularly helpful for you to think it such.

I'm writing this review in response to people who seem to feel Ryman's world of the future is a dystopia. I feel the point of the book is that you're left unsure in this regard. We're told the story from the point of view of an outsider to the system certainly everyone in the system is very nice to her. They are always willing to help even if it sometimes means bending their own laws (Hiding Rolfa) or going far out of their way to do so (as with the previous case or helping Milena in her career). Even the main body of gov't is not a hinderance, but as benevolent as the individuals despite Mileana's mistrust. And it's not as though the people who have gone through the reading are stepford wives either. They are still unique individuals as we see through the affair between Berowne and the Princess. People are just nicer and know more (if not necessarily more intelligent). I do not believe Ryman meant this book to be anti-genetic engineering so much as just showing us how it can change and letting us make up our own minds. As for me I don't see any harm in the possiblity of our world turning into that of this book as it is definately going change in some way. Certainly we are different from the societies before us, so as change must I see no harm in this coming. It's just different not bad.On the other hand, I would never want to be read myself. I am a very happy well adjusted homosexual and that is something I advocate doesn't need to be fixed. Of course, perhaps I make to much out of orientation, certainly in heaven people won't have any sexual desire at all. And perhaps this means it is something I should not be so worried about giving up on earth despite the knowledge that I won't miss it once I've left it either with death or with being read. I mention this quandary because this and indeed all of Ryman's books (I've actually only read this Was and Lust, but I'm assuming) give rise to constant reveries on my staunchest beliefs. It is for this reason I always think of them as, if not specifically Christian, religious books. Very few authors have the ability to keep me tossing and turning all night from considering what they've written. I think that perhaps C.S. Lewis is the only other. I can't reccomend Ryman well enough and believe those who haven't read him are missing out on something extraordinary.

Ryman has written some of the best short fiction of the last decade or so and I've read just about everything he's published (or at least everything I can get my hands on). This book is part of a wonderful SF series of reprints, and I'd say really does belong on your bookshelf if your a serious SF reader. That said, this book is about 200 pages too long. It has virtually no plot and I could only finish it because of the polish of Mr. Ryman's prose. Like a lot of British writers, his stories are filled with characters who take little action to resolve whatever conflict might be falling upon them. Here is a story about a young woman in a culture that's dying in a lush, green future with a subplot involving theatrical productions of one kind or another. It begins well then simply slows down and crawls to the end where we've either lost interest in what's happening or have forgotten why we're reading the book in the first place. When Ryman is limited to the short form, he sizzles (this is Gene Wolfe's gift as well). When he tackles novels, he tends to get flabby. Read this book because it is by Geoff Ryman and because it is part of the S.F. Masterworks series, but know that it's a slow ride to the end. Whether it's worth it or not has to do with why you read. I feel I have to read the important writers writing today (and I want to be a better writer myself from learning what they do well and what they don't do as well). But the average reader, in for a good time on a summer's day, might want something a bit more concise and energized that The Child Garden.

Very convoluted like the virus infected brains of the people of earth in this book. Almost a utopian, communist maifesto. I like it but am afraid I will have to read it again. He writes moving, interesting and unique descriptions of a world that has grown young and aimless; with everyone trying to recapture their youth and the dire consequences of manipulating our DNA. I wonder how he feels about GE food? Very thought provoking. Highly recommended.

Takes a while to warm up but is very funny and sad and complex

I love this book and read it almost every year. The story is imaginative and paints a vivid picture of the life of what life could be like for modified humans.

I have decided NOT to review this superb and classic Ryman novel; there are some great reviews of that in the hardcopy S.F. Masterpiece edition on Amazon, this is more of a review/criticism of this particular kindle edition.Could the cover design be any more dreadful and misleading? There are enough spelling errors and proof reading errors per page to make some of this book gobbledygook and unreadable. Its unforgivable. Nearly asked for my money back.HIGHLY recommend the novel but do NOT buy this kindle edition.You have been warned

3rd time that I have read this book. Vivid characters and a fantastic storyline. A very rewarding read from beginning to end.

This was my first Geoff Ryman read, and a wholly fascinating one. Ryman takes us into a future of ecological and psychological disaster, in which the one redeemimg feature is the power of love. The book could be seen as a grim warning for humanity if it does not now take steps to avoid further pollution of the planet, and fails to understand the power of the mind for good and for evil and to educate its children to develop their minds accordingly. Worth every penny and every minute expended.

This is a strange story with lots of very original themes, not always an easy read as it incorporates many time shifts. The end of the book is odd, it is a very personal thing to decide if it works. Worth reading as it is certainly different.

This is a story full of wonders, beautifully told. A very strange future for humanity is made real, in its suffering and eventual glory. Marvelous characters and a satisfying ending make this a book that will stay with you for a long time.What lost this book its otherwise deserved fifth star is the utterly horrible proofreading. There are errors on almost every page, many of which make meaning uncertain, disrupting the flow of the story. Such sloppy, careless work is unacceptable. If the book was worth publishing (it was) then it was worth spending the little extra time to get it right.