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Masters of Solitude #1
The Masters of Solitude
"I am a singer. And I am alone. His parents came from two very different worlds. And Singer was an outcast. a misfit who belonged to neither world... a master of solitude.".
The City stood alone beyond the forest. Through the Self-Gate, annihilator of the unwary, none could gain entry alive, and none came out.
The City stood alone beyond the forest. Through the Self-Gate, annihilator of the unwary, none could gain entry alive, and none came out.
398 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 1978
7 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
About the author
Marvin Kaye
144 books83 followersMarvin Nathan Kaye was an American mystery, fantasy, science fiction, horror author, anthologist, and editor. He was also a magician and theater actor. Kaye was a World Fantasy Award winner and served as co-publisher and editor of Weird Tales Magazine.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
October 22, 2014
I rarely talk to anyone who has read this book. I think it must be one of those undiscovered jewels I come across too rarely. A post apocalyptic novel that is different from the rest. There is a sequel, "Wintermind" which I haven't read yet. This book stands on its own.
The rural communities are low tech & have some psi powers, organized into covens. High tech is left in the world, but is all but inaccessible to most. A young man, in good standing, is sent on a quest to gain the city's support for his community. The politics, setting & results are very interesting, twisted & full of more than a few surprises.
It's one of those books that is good to re-read occasionally. It's a journey of discovery, not just for the young man on the quest, but for the reader, as it brings up some interesting contrasts between what we have now, city vs rural living & what could happen in the future. I wore out my paperback copy years ago & got a hardback.
Re-reading as of 8Sep09 in preparation to finally read "Wintermind". It's been too long since I last read it. Many details have departed the sieve I call a memory.
It was good. Very well written & interesting, but I knocked it back to 4 stars. It's not quite a 5 star book like "The Hobbit" or "Lord of Light". Close though. Well worth the read. On to "Wintermind"!
The rural communities are low tech & have some psi powers, organized into covens. High tech is left in the world, but is all but inaccessible to most. A young man, in good standing, is sent on a quest to gain the city's support for his community. The politics, setting & results are very interesting, twisted & full of more than a few surprises.
It's one of those books that is good to re-read occasionally. It's a journey of discovery, not just for the young man on the quest, but for the reader, as it brings up some interesting contrasts between what we have now, city vs rural living & what could happen in the future. I wore out my paperback copy years ago & got a hardback.
Re-reading as of 8Sep09 in preparation to finally read "Wintermind". It's been too long since I last read it. Many details have departed the sieve I call a memory.
It was good. Very well written & interesting, but I knocked it back to 4 stars. It's not quite a 5 star book like "The Hobbit" or "Lord of Light". Close though. Well worth the read. On to "Wintermind"!
February 24, 2012
This is one of my favorite sci-fi/fantasy books of all time. I love it and its sequel and wish the authors had written more. The story follows Singer. His mother was from the City, and his father was from the Coven.
This is a post-apocalyptic tale. Years ago, the people in the City cut themselves off from the world by use of a device the outsiders call the self-gate. They became long-lived, analytic and quit interacting with each other to the point that love and family became unimportant.
On the outside, those that live in Covens are the opposite. Though primitive, they grew close, they developed telepathy which they call 'lep.' However, as they have become inbred they are losing the ability to reproduce. In a sense, both civilizations are dying because they are separated from each other.
There is a third group, who have become the boogey men of the Coven society, the Kriss.
I won't give any more away of the plot. There is enough there that there are not spoilers, but you have a better idea of what the book is about. Singer somehow has to make the world better.
Why do I love it? Even though it is old now, the story is completely original. It is a fantastic dystopian and from the time when dystopian novels weren't popular. The writing is very well done, the characters completely fleshed out and it is easy to sink into the story and get lost. I also like how it fused the 'what we know to be true about the world' and let it age and develop into the new societies so you can easily recreate in your mind the mythology and the history of this world with few hints. In other words, the authors did not treat the readers as idiots.
It doesn't hurt to pick it up and read, it's old enough it's probably not in ebook format, but sometimes there is nothing better then a paperback book and a fire...
My recommendation? Anyone who loves sci-fi/fantasy, dystopian or post-apocalyptic stories will love this.
This is a post-apocalyptic tale. Years ago, the people in the City cut themselves off from the world by use of a device the outsiders call the self-gate. They became long-lived, analytic and quit interacting with each other to the point that love and family became unimportant.
On the outside, those that live in Covens are the opposite. Though primitive, they grew close, they developed telepathy which they call 'lep.' However, as they have become inbred they are losing the ability to reproduce. In a sense, both civilizations are dying because they are separated from each other.
There is a third group, who have become the boogey men of the Coven society, the Kriss.
I won't give any more away of the plot. There is enough there that there are not spoilers, but you have a better idea of what the book is about. Singer somehow has to make the world better.
Why do I love it? Even though it is old now, the story is completely original. It is a fantastic dystopian and from the time when dystopian novels weren't popular. The writing is very well done, the characters completely fleshed out and it is easy to sink into the story and get lost. I also like how it fused the 'what we know to be true about the world' and let it age and develop into the new societies so you can easily recreate in your mind the mythology and the history of this world with few hints. In other words, the authors did not treat the readers as idiots.
It doesn't hurt to pick it up and read, it's old enough it's probably not in ebook format, but sometimes there is nothing better then a paperback book and a fire...
My recommendation? Anyone who loves sci-fi/fantasy, dystopian or post-apocalyptic stories will love this.
April 18, 2009
A very absorbing science fiction/fantasy involving a world changed by an unidentified catastrophic event, leaving people to create their own societies. On such society has developed extra sensory perception so that they not only communicate telepathically but can also feel another's feelings, joy, pain, etc. The implication of such perceptions on human behavior is beautifully explored. I could not put this book down till the last page.
March 14, 2014
I first read this in the 70s, in my teens, and I loved it. I've re-read it since and would still recommend it, though years have inevitably tarnished some of its lustre.
On one side are the Coven, tribal, telepathic, in tune with their world and themselves. Masters are the powerful among them, those who have learned self-discipline and honed their command of telepathy. Their religion is a combination of nature spirits and Celtic fire festivals, but mainly a celebration of life itself. On thing this that this telepathic people can hardly conceive of is true solitude.
On the other side is the City, an closed enclave of pure science which labours to find the nature of God in the laws of nature. Its citizens thrive on solitude, having even invented an ultra-efficient mathematical language that permits them to communicate without the baggage of social and emotional interaction.
The third, hidden side is a community that clings to the old monotheistic religion, the Kriss, worshipers of a dead god. It is a distillation of all the fears, hatreds, bigotry and unmitigated genocidal nastiness that is the birthright of fundamentalist religions.
In between, there is Singer, both of the City and of the Coven, belonging to neither. He is Singer, and he is alone.
On one side are the Coven, tribal, telepathic, in tune with their world and themselves. Masters are the powerful among them, those who have learned self-discipline and honed their command of telepathy. Their religion is a combination of nature spirits and Celtic fire festivals, but mainly a celebration of life itself. On thing this that this telepathic people can hardly conceive of is true solitude.
On the other side is the City, an closed enclave of pure science which labours to find the nature of God in the laws of nature. Its citizens thrive on solitude, having even invented an ultra-efficient mathematical language that permits them to communicate without the baggage of social and emotional interaction.
The third, hidden side is a community that clings to the old monotheistic religion, the Kriss, worshipers of a dead god. It is a distillation of all the fears, hatreds, bigotry and unmitigated genocidal nastiness that is the birthright of fundamentalist religions.
In between, there is Singer, both of the City and of the Coven, belonging to neither. He is Singer, and he is alone.
May 27, 2020
I just finished re-reading this (after about 30 years) so it's fresh in my mind. I'll finish this review once I can figure out a way to describe the book concisely. It's long and dense.
I think it's excellently written, and pays off the time it takes to absorb it. For me, the parts that involved a lot of action and tension were tempting to try to read quickly, but the authors were very deliberate in the way they plotted and structured the book and it's important to not rush through it.
The first thing that makes this book unique is the description of the people who populate the earth after the apocalypse. They are basically what we would call pagans: their lives are governed by natural cycles and rhythms. The acknowledgment list Paul Huson's Mastering Witchcraft for details of the peoples' rites and rituals. Whatever the apocalyptic event was, by and large nature has recovered.
However, there is another group of people called the Kriss whose beliefs are completely different from and hostile to the pagans. On a superficial level you can say the book is anti-Christian, but that is too glib; the authors are much more subtle than that.
I will say this without, hopefully, giving too much away. Almost at the beginning of the book, the character named Singer, who you assume will be one of, if not the, the main characters, is captured by his father, who needs to lead a kind of war and needs Singer's special abilities. Singer is basically kept under house arrest for almost the rest of the book and other ones take the center of the stage. After the climax, Singer's role becomes apparent in an unexpected and crucial way which makes total sense considering all you learn through the rest of the book.
I know I'm going to edit this more, since this only scratches the surface of this fine work.
Incidentally, I haven't yet re-read Wintermind, the sequel, but this book does completely stand alone. I think I remember being disappointed, but don't take that as anything prescriptive at the moment....
To be continued....
I think it's excellently written, and pays off the time it takes to absorb it. For me, the parts that involved a lot of action and tension were tempting to try to read quickly, but the authors were very deliberate in the way they plotted and structured the book and it's important to not rush through it.
The first thing that makes this book unique is the description of the people who populate the earth after the apocalypse. They are basically what we would call pagans: their lives are governed by natural cycles and rhythms. The acknowledgment list Paul Huson's Mastering Witchcraft for details of the peoples' rites and rituals. Whatever the apocalyptic event was, by and large nature has recovered.
However, there is another group of people called the Kriss whose beliefs are completely different from and hostile to the pagans. On a superficial level you can say the book is anti-Christian, but that is too glib; the authors are much more subtle than that.
I will say this without, hopefully, giving too much away. Almost at the beginning of the book, the character named Singer, who you assume will be one of, if not the, the main characters, is captured by his father, who needs to lead a kind of war and needs Singer's special abilities. Singer is basically kept under house arrest for almost the rest of the book and other ones take the center of the stage. After the climax, Singer's role becomes apparent in an unexpected and crucial way which makes total sense considering all you learn through the rest of the book.
I know I'm going to edit this more, since this only scratches the surface of this fine work.
Incidentally, I haven't yet re-read Wintermind, the sequel, but this book does completely stand alone. I think I remember being disappointed, but don't take that as anything prescriptive at the moment....
To be continued....
August 20, 2019
It's never a good sign when it takes you a month to finish a book that is only 400 pages. (And furthermore started reading another book at the same time just to stay sane).
I will keep it short and sweet (at least for me). I consider myself at least a semi-intelligent fellow, able to follow most plot-lines from start to finish but I had a lot of trouble even understanding the full magnitude of what was going on until the very end. Most of the book was frustratingly boring (the middle of the book and the very end were the only truly enjoyable parts) as it meandered from one event to another. They buried the far most interesting character as a side item until they couldn't hold him back anymore. Meanwhile, they blew up two other far less interesting characters to the point of nausea.
This was also burdened by the chapter structure. 50-80 page chapters are tough to get through as is, and it works for some books like the Witcher series. But in this case, it was a determent and it sorely needed chapter stops time and time again so the reader could reflect on what was going on. By reading the other reviews, there are many who enjoy this author and this book but unfortunately I was not one of them. Be careful for those who consider this a light read, it is a deep deep book and I'm not sure I was up to the task. Enjoy and take care.
I will keep it short and sweet (at least for me). I consider myself at least a semi-intelligent fellow, able to follow most plot-lines from start to finish but I had a lot of trouble even understanding the full magnitude of what was going on until the very end. Most of the book was frustratingly boring (the middle of the book and the very end were the only truly enjoyable parts) as it meandered from one event to another. They buried the far most interesting character as a side item until they couldn't hold him back anymore. Meanwhile, they blew up two other far less interesting characters to the point of nausea.
This was also burdened by the chapter structure. 50-80 page chapters are tough to get through as is, and it works for some books like the Witcher series. But in this case, it was a determent and it sorely needed chapter stops time and time again so the reader could reflect on what was going on. By reading the other reviews, there are many who enjoy this author and this book but unfortunately I was not one of them. Be careful for those who consider this a light read, it is a deep deep book and I'm not sure I was up to the task. Enjoy and take care.
Read
May 9, 2024Random McKay's find. Drawn in by the strange cover. So fun to dive into a fantasy/sci-fi that I have no pre-existing ideas about. Every twist and turn was unexpected, both plot and worldbuilding wise. (It follows some classic fantasy tropes, but it was nice to not already know the characters/setting like I would reading dune or LOTR)
A lot of fun. Very strange. Glad I read it. Picking up random books is a roll of the dice, love it when it pays off.
A lot of fun. Very strange. Glad I read it. Picking up random books is a roll of the dice, love it when it pays off.
April 7, 2011
For some reason, though the plot details beyond the quest atmosphere are forgotten, I've positive associations with this book, my copy of which I just gave away with virtually all of my other science fiction books--except Philip K. Dick.
Portions of this novel were originally published in Galileo Magazine.
Portions of this novel were originally published in Galileo Magazine.
August 28, 2011
Probably one of the better science fiction books that nobody's ever heard of. I'd strongly suggest reading it if you can find a copy of it.
The only thing keeping me from giving it a full score is the rather...sudden way the big reveal happens at the end. It doesn't end in a way that's entirely satisfying, but there's supposedly a sequel.
The only thing keeping me from giving it a full score is the rather...sudden way the big reveal happens at the end. It doesn't end in a way that's entirely satisfying, but there's supposedly a sequel.
Read
August 15, 2016Read as a teen in Galileo magazine. Very good.
February 20, 2025
After an apocalypse, societies have split into multiple factions. Major ones include the closely gated technological society, a fundamentalist Christian society, and a loose affiliation of psychically inclined tribes. As their birth rate declines, the tribes attempt to unite and re-establish contact with the close gated society, but the Christians stand in their way.
This was an interesting reading experience for me; about a third of the way through the book, I remembered I had actually read the sequel, Wintermind, ages and ages ago. That took out some of the surprise of the story, but created an interesting degree of anticipation, where I wondered how the story would reach the point I knew. Metaphorically, it's kind of making the case that our spiritual sides and technological sides need to be reconciled, or the former will be destroyed by a failure to tamper natural forces, and the latter pushed into stasis without an independent will. But in order for the two to be able to meet, the religious fundamentalist must be reckoned with and expelled.
It kind of works on the level of plot, that the maneuvering of groups are really interesting. Despite the fact that the focal group is definitely the tribes they're the set of the three I feel like I had the least grasp on; perhaps because they're assumed knowledge, or perhaps because or first glimpse of them is from Singer, a child born of a city woman and tribal man who's on the outside of both groups. I can't say it works on the character level; the two I felt the most connection to was the tribal leader's other son and his love interest, but the rest I felt pretty cold on. Given his prominence at the start, I was surprised when Singer fell out of the plot. I should have guessed what was happening there, though, since the sequel performs a very similar trick. All in all, not a great read, but an interesting one. And I could see checking out something else from either author.
This was an interesting reading experience for me; about a third of the way through the book, I remembered I had actually read the sequel, Wintermind, ages and ages ago. That took out some of the surprise of the story, but created an interesting degree of anticipation, where I wondered how the story would reach the point I knew. Metaphorically, it's kind of making the case that our spiritual sides and technological sides need to be reconciled, or the former will be destroyed by a failure to tamper natural forces, and the latter pushed into stasis without an independent will. But in order for the two to be able to meet, the religious fundamentalist must be reckoned with and expelled.
It kind of works on the level of plot, that the maneuvering of groups are really interesting. Despite the fact that the focal group is definitely the tribes they're the set of the three I feel like I had the least grasp on; perhaps because they're assumed knowledge, or perhaps because or first glimpse of them is from Singer, a child born of a city woman and tribal man who's on the outside of both groups. I can't say it works on the character level; the two I felt the most connection to was the tribal leader's other son and his love interest, but the rest I felt pretty cold on. Given his prominence at the start, I was surprised when Singer fell out of the plot. I should have guessed what was happening there, though, since the sequel performs a very similar trick. All in all, not a great read, but an interesting one. And I could see checking out something else from either author.
April 29, 2024
Wow! I think this book almost succeeds at everything it hopes to achieve. An entire world in the span of 400 pages, complete with its own cultures, languages, and clashing belief systems. Every chapter is its own ecosystem, reminding me of the richly textured and budgeted universes of today's premium "TV" episodes. There's existentialism, romance, adventure, terror, even military tactics and Self-Gates and Girdles of Solitude. All this for $2. Truly an epic.
Insert "Chaos reigns" Fox meme:
Chittering down eternity like the rats outside, the song the Covens forgot or blotted out of memory, drowning out love, reasons and irrelevant hopes. Why us in this place, why the rats, why one more meaningless death? Feeble, self-centered question, answered the wolf. Arin as center of reality. Not why but why not? If the universe rolls toward purpose, must it be yours? You in your Circle, Uriah in his church, both of you clogging the cosmos with personal significance like sugar on meat, equating the single toad- hop of your lives for the clean arc of Forever. The world carries you, carries the rat who carries the self-absorbed flea. The horror is not an evil but an innocence. Let the wolves laugh.
Insert "Chaos reigns" Fox meme:
Chittering down eternity like the rats outside, the song the Covens forgot or blotted out of memory, drowning out love, reasons and irrelevant hopes. Why us in this place, why the rats, why one more meaningless death? Feeble, self-centered question, answered the wolf. Arin as center of reality. Not why but why not? If the universe rolls toward purpose, must it be yours? You in your Circle, Uriah in his church, both of you clogging the cosmos with personal significance like sugar on meat, equating the single toad- hop of your lives for the clean arc of Forever. The world carries you, carries the rat who carries the self-absorbed flea. The horror is not an evil but an innocence. Let the wolves laugh.
August 30, 2025
This book is one of my personal library collection. It is one that I re-read about every 3-5 years. It is a very good post apocalyptic novel and holds your interest throughout.
One question that I had and others have also questioned is "Where is Lishin"? I did not find any documented answers, so I decided to study the question on this latest reading of the book.
Looking for the location of "Lishin" in the novel "Masters of Solitude".
On page 51 Moss is recounting taking Singer's mother Judith there. She tells them about the sign on the bridge entering the city, says "amspor" as all thats left of the name of the city. The geography of the area is western Pennsylvania, and the letters are part of the city "Williamsport" on the Susquehanna River. Which also reflects a description of it in the book...
Just passing on my thoughts that maybe the internet picks up this answer to your question. Garyb953...
Enjoy the book...
One question that I had and others have also questioned is "Where is Lishin"? I did not find any documented answers, so I decided to study the question on this latest reading of the book.
Looking for the location of "Lishin" in the novel "Masters of Solitude".
On page 51 Moss is recounting taking Singer's mother Judith there. She tells them about the sign on the bridge entering the city, says "amspor" as all thats left of the name of the city. The geography of the area is western Pennsylvania, and the letters are part of the city "Williamsport" on the Susquehanna River. Which also reflects a description of it in the book...
Just passing on my thoughts that maybe the internet picks up this answer to your question. Garyb953...
Enjoy the book...
August 23, 2022
It was an alright book, explored some interesting concepts such as neo indigenous people with telepathy in north america, and dynamics with city people, and christian people.
Is a worthwhile book for passing the time.
Ignores permaculture, but perhaps it hadn't been reintroduced to the european mindstream at the time of writing.
Is a worthwhile book for passing the time.
Ignores permaculture, but perhaps it hadn't been reintroduced to the european mindstream at the time of writing.
May 28, 2025
I read this fantasy book because a friend recommended it and said it was a formative book for him. It is a bit slow and I can see where he got his anti-religiousity from as the chief bad guys are warped devoties of a cult. I found it a bit slow to get going and never really took to the main characters but it did get going towards the last 100 pages.
June 27, 2017
One of the best sci-fi/fantasy novels of all time. A rare gem that is brilliantly written.
September 19, 2020
Wow! A hidden gem in sci-fi!
November 9, 2021
Beautiful. Has some minor set backs if we nitpick it, but it's a raw, honest experience.
Game if thrones fans may like it.
Game if thrones fans may like it.
December 26, 2025
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis reviews
Summary
A post-apocalyptic Mrika has divided into two major entities: the City, whose solitude is maintained by deadly Self Gate, and the rest - a mix of coven, cowan, Wengen, and Kriss. When Judith leaves the City, she inspires coven Master Garick to bring the covens and City to conversation, only to find that there's much more danger outside the City than he knew.
Review
This first volume of a projected but not completed trilogy works fairly effectively as a standalone novel. It's a post-apocalyptic novel reminiscent of Sterling Lanier's Hiero's Journey (which just this year may have had its final volume published).
The novel starts with Singer, child of a City woman and a coven master, but then largely abandons him for most of its length. He goes missing for so long that it begins to feel a bit of a bait and switch, but he does come back at the end. It's something of a shame that he's not more at the center, since I found him more engaging than the main protagonist, his half-brother Arin.
It's a reasonably well thought out description of a post-apocalyptic society that has splintered into several parts that approach their lives in different ways. I was a bit shaky on the geography, though parts of it seemed pretty clear (Uhia = Ohio, Shando = Shenandoah). That's true for most of the neologisms as well; they're easily comprehended with a bit of thought.
This is definitely a male-centered novel. Women do have agency, and they do make key choices, but for the most part, we're focused on the men. However, there's a decent argument that this is intentional; City women are key actors and leaders, Kriss women are brutally subjugated, and coven women are somewhere in the middle. Since we spend most time with the coven group, it gives the impression that their experience is the principal view, but it's clear that the authors intended a range of cultures.
The story itself is somewhat meandering, and I didn't find most of the key actors particularly likeable. That does with the book some points for verisimilitude, and, despite its turns, it's generally clear where the story is going.
I give this a somewhat higher rating on this second (third?) reading after many years. While still not outstanding, I must note that it's a trilogy that's stuck with me, at least in terms of wishing it had been completed. I am continuing with the second book, Wintermind, though since this book finishes off pretty well, it does feel more like a new novel than a continuation. Apparently, the third book, Singer Among the Nightingales, was never completed, so there's little hope if it ever being published, but you never know. As a standalone, this is interesting and effective.
Summary
A post-apocalyptic Mrika has divided into two major entities: the City, whose solitude is maintained by deadly Self Gate, and the rest - a mix of coven, cowan, Wengen, and Kriss. When Judith leaves the City, she inspires coven Master Garick to bring the covens and City to conversation, only to find that there's much more danger outside the City than he knew.
Review
This first volume of a projected but not completed trilogy works fairly effectively as a standalone novel. It's a post-apocalyptic novel reminiscent of Sterling Lanier's Hiero's Journey (which just this year may have had its final volume published).
The novel starts with Singer, child of a City woman and a coven master, but then largely abandons him for most of its length. He goes missing for so long that it begins to feel a bit of a bait and switch, but he does come back at the end. It's something of a shame that he's not more at the center, since I found him more engaging than the main protagonist, his half-brother Arin.
It's a reasonably well thought out description of a post-apocalyptic society that has splintered into several parts that approach their lives in different ways. I was a bit shaky on the geography, though parts of it seemed pretty clear (Uhia = Ohio, Shando = Shenandoah). That's true for most of the neologisms as well; they're easily comprehended with a bit of thought.
This is definitely a male-centered novel. Women do have agency, and they do make key choices, but for the most part, we're focused on the men. However, there's a decent argument that this is intentional; City women are key actors and leaders, Kriss women are brutally subjugated, and coven women are somewhere in the middle. Since we spend most time with the coven group, it gives the impression that their experience is the principal view, but it's clear that the authors intended a range of cultures.
The story itself is somewhat meandering, and I didn't find most of the key actors particularly likeable. That does with the book some points for verisimilitude, and, despite its turns, it's generally clear where the story is going.
I give this a somewhat higher rating on this second (third?) reading after many years. While still not outstanding, I must note that it's a trilogy that's stuck with me, at least in terms of wishing it had been completed. I am continuing with the second book, Wintermind, though since this book finishes off pretty well, it does feel more like a new novel than a continuation. Apparently, the third book, Singer Among the Nightingales, was never completed, so there's little hope if it ever being published, but you never know. As a standalone, this is interesting and effective.
May 20, 2021
The country has split between a isolationist walled city full of tech, and many groups of tribes with mental powers and farming/gathering.
I enjoyed the way present day religions, language and places were woven into their future in different ways, distorted into new paths.
It felt like they left the people I most wanted to hear about behind as they galloped off on the main story.
This book is first of two, but stands alone fairly well.
I enjoyed the way present day religions, language and places were woven into their future in different ways, distorted into new paths.
It felt like they left the people I most wanted to hear about behind as they galloped off on the main story.
This book is first of two, but stands alone fairly well.
December 17, 2014
This was another relic (1978) unearthed on my bookshelves, remnant of a long-ago library sale shopping spree. The Masters of Solitude is a post-apocolyptic story about the divide between the two groups who have emerged since the disaster, and the attempt of one family to bridge that divide. In the book, some unspecified disaster occurred in the distant past. In its wake, humanity divided into two groups: those in The City who still possess advanced technology and have walled themselves off (literally and aggressively) from the rest of the world; and everyone else, spread across the land in primitive clans/covens who have developed their own special skill to compensate for their lack of technology. The story centers around one family: Garick, head of his clan/coven; Judith, the City woman he takes as his first wife; Singer, son of Garick and Judith and so half City/half coven and belonging to neither; and Arin, Garick's son from his second marriage to a coven woman and so fully of the coven (at least at first). While it's not always a gripping read, it is thought-provoking, one of those rare blends of books where story and philosophy are inextricable. Central to the book is the idea of Community vs. Self - where the line is, and what Alone truly means. There's also the obvious Technology vs. Nature duality, explored through the covens' quest to get through to the City, and the City's continually uncaring non-response. The characters are complex and interesting, though due to their mindsets and the portrayal in the text it's hard to get emotionally attached, but that's just the nature of a more cerebrally-focused story like this. I'm not sure what else I can say here without giving out some spoilers. It's good, will get you thinking, and is well worth the read if you don't mind working through the few slow parts for it. It also has a surprising and satisfying twist at the end. I intend to pick up the sequel, Wintermind, at some point in the future.
February 5, 2013
usually i would love a story of a dystopian society, where the outcast (telepathic wiccans) need help from a gated city of mysophobian vulcanistic logical spookoulians, to defeat a plauge delibratly inflicted upon them by inquisitionist genicidal holy rollers, set to cleanse the world of evil.
Sounds good right? actually no, the writing of said story was drudgingly slow, and the chapters are excruciatingly long.
Sounds good right? actually no, the writing of said story was drudgingly slow, and the chapters are excruciatingly long.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2025
This was a really wonderful book, and I just found it by luck. I read a pretty old Swedish fan-made fantasy review booklet, and someone mentioned this book in a review of another book. I thought it sounded intriguing, and after some searching online I finally found it. It was such a great read, and I loved the very unique world and the amazing characters. I love when you find these sort of surprise gems!
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June 24, 2012I first read this book at the age of 22 loved it then. reread 4 times over the last 30 years... a great story well written will grasp you by your vicariousness and will not let you go.. the sequel is wintermind a much shorter book but it is also good and adds some closure to the story.. I love great story tellers and Marvin Kaye is one of the best
August 30, 2018
I don't really remember much about this one, but it was one of my absolute favorites back in college.
October 29, 2012
geef dit boek 3 sterren, omdat het me toch wel een beetje vermaakt heeft. niet dat het nou echt een superboek was, maar echt slecht was het ook niet.
December 27, 2014
I have read this book several times and enjoyed each time I've read it.
March 5, 2012
An interesting post-apocalyptic book
January 31, 2011
Great book, followed by an uninspiring 2nd book, at which they gave up on a triology.
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