The Ordinary

Irion/Hormling

by Jim Grimsley, Donato Giancola (Illustrator)

Jim Grimsley's novels and short stories have been favorably compared to the works of Samuel R. Delany, Jack Vance, and Ursula K. Le Guin. Now he unleashes an ambitious and audacious collision between science and magic.

The Twil Gate links two very different realms. On one side of the portal is Senal, an advanced technological civilization of some thirty billion inhabitants, all cybernetically linked and at war with machine intelligences many light-years away. On the other side is Irion, a land of myth and legend, where the world is flat and mighty wizards once ruled.

Jedda Martele is a linguist and trader from Senal. Although fascinated by the languages and cultures of Irion, she shares her people's assumption that Irion is backward and superstitious and no match for her homeland's superior numbers and technology. But as the two realms march inevitably toward war, Jedda finds herself at the center of historic, unimaginable events that will challenge everything she has ever believed about the world--and herself.

The Ordinary is a powerful and entrancing tale of magic, science, and the mysterious truth that binds them together.

Genres: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Fiction, LGBT, Romance, Gay, Queer

368 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Jim Grimsley published a new novel in May of 2022, The Dove in the Belly, out from Levine Querido. The book is a look at the past when queer people lived more hidden lives than now. Grimsley was born in rural eastern North Carolina. He has published short stories and essays in various quarterlies, including DoubleTake, New Orleans Review, Carolina Quarterly, New Virginia Review, the LA Times, and the New York Times Book Review. Jim’s first novel Winter Birds, was published in the United States by Algonquin Books in the fall of 1994. Winter Birds won the Sue Kaufman Prize for best first novel from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and was a finalist for the PEN/Hemingway Award. He has published other novels, including Dream Boy, Kirith Kirin, and My Drowning. His books are available in Hebrew, German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Italian, Japanese, and Portuguese. He has also published a collection of plays and most recently a memoir, How I Shed My Skin. His body of work as a prose writer and playwright was awarded the Academy Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 2005. For twenty years he taught writing at Emory University in Atlanta.

Reviews

[Wealhtheow · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book begins like a normal scifi story--a group of diplomats, scientists and their linguist go on an expedition to meet the leader of the world they recently discovered. From there, it gets a bit awesome. Seriously, this story goes from solid tale to enthralling in one unexpected switcheroo. It rapidly becomes an incredible tale that spans thousands of years, told from several points of view. It reminded me a bit of Patricia McKinley's incredible "Riddle-Master of Hed" series, with a taste of Ursula K LeGuin. Overall, a fascinating look at the intersection between science and magic, with some novel characters. Watching Jedda and Malin slowly shift their stances over time was great fun, and I could barely contain my excitement and anticipation over their eventual meeting. I highly recommend this book.

Jedda is a linguist from a scientifically advanced people who value conformity and fear being noticed. Every citizen is linked and recorded via a "stat"; privacy is an illusion. To her mingled consternation and pleasure, she is selected to be part of a small diplomatic envoy through the mysterious Twill Gate to Irion. Irion is a technologically backward country where the common people believe in wizards and magic. Jedda and her superiors are astounded when a fleet of their best ships is easily destroyed by Irion's magic. The rest of the Hormlings go home, but Jedda stays behind to learn about this strange new world. She begins to learn magic, time-travels to the beginnings of Irion, and falls in love with a powerful sorceress.

Grimsley has a gift for names--they are musical, fantastical, yet easily remembered. He is not good with magic, however, and his dragging explanations of mediation and energy slow the second half of the book. I expected to like this novel, but there is no conflict or climax--deus ex machina *literally* saves the day every time. Even the Big Bad is defeated off-stage, without any trouble at all, while Jedda lies unconscious. It is frustratingly boring.

Despite my annoyance, there were a lot of details I liked about this book. Jedda really reads like a linguist; she's continually noticing language shifts or figuring out what the root of a word means. Her interest and skill carries the story of her uncovering of the truth about Irion. Grimsley describes sex and desire well--no ridiculous euphamisms, and the right combination of intellect and heat. And I loved that because Irion's stars were mutable and changed every night, the people tried to explain their world through intuition and magic instead of clockwork and science. Makes sense!

[coco's reading · Rating 2 out of 5]

Here we have the first Jim Grimsley book I didn't enjoy, which is especially disappointing after I had such a great time with Kirith Kirin. Several of the good things about that novel are still present in The Ordinary, but the structural issues really brought this down. The magic system based in song and the description of the different planes of consciousness was as interesting as ever; even when it did go over my head, I managed to have a grasp of how it functioned thanks to previous experience with the world. I liked Jedda's perspective, and the way she considered people and places through the lens of language was entirely unique. The discussions about God and creation added a new layer to Grimsley's universe: how does your perspective change when faced with the possibility that your world exists only within the context of a larger one?

What killed this book was the pacing, as well as the lack of agency the main character had. Jedda didn't act: she reacts in response to other people forcing decisions upon her. Sections one and two read as the first half for a much longer work, and I expected we'd return to many of the secondary characters established there. The third section, while providing a peek behind the scenes of the previous sections, in many ways felt separate from what came before (although I liked it). Section four—about fifteen pages at most—tried to wrap up the conflict but had absolutely no pay-off.

Really, I'd probably have rated this lower were it not for Jessex being explored in a new light, and the bits we got of Kirith Kirin and his coterie. I'll continue to read Jim Grimsley's novels, but I won't be picking up the third in this series.

[Stephen Poltz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes place in the same universe as Kirith Kirin, though it is not a sequel. It has some of the same strengths as its predecessor and suffers from some of the same faults. Specifically, its prose is outstanding, but too much so. In place of suspense and emotional depth, we get paragraph after paragraph of wordy world-building. It becomes a snooze-fest. It’s a shame, because the concept of the book is inventive. There are two worlds on a distant planet joined by a portal. The two worlds are very different: one is based on science and has developed from an Earth colony ship, and the other is based on magic and seems to have been there forever. Unfortunately, it’s just not gripping. Nonetheless, the book was nominated for the Gaylactic Spectrum Award, and like its predecessor, it won the Lambda Literary Award.

Come visit my blog for the full review…
https://itstartedwiththehugos.blogspo...

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a 4 (maybe even more) star book right up until the last section when I did not get the resolution I expected from the story. Liked the start and the twist away from initial expectation, really wanted to know more about the mysterious woman and I expected when I didn't that this must be a series. Unfortunately the author's note made it clear there is a sequel planned. More books in this world maybe but not a direct continuation of this story and I'd have liked more of Jedda and Malin.

[Laura]

puzzling. pleasant enough. id read the sequel, but im not eager to

[YoSafBridg · Rating 3 out of 5]

My library classifies The Ordinary as science fiction. I call it fantasy. The back cover says it is a powerful and entrancing tale of magic, science and the mysterious truth that binds them together (so i guess that's somewhere in between?) The author, Jim Grimsley, also calls it science fiction even though it shares the same world with his early fantasy novel Kirith Kirin (though it is not a sequel to that novel). He says that he is
"exploring the interface between a culture that believes in magic and one that believes in science and I ultimately wish to explore the kinds of doubts that arise in each world as a result of the presence of the other. The book presumes that science will eventually explain magic, and thus my own belief that the science fiction designation is earned, if more softly than hardly."
I'm still not sure i agree, but who am i to argue? The novel itself is very interesting (if you can keep all the names and cultures strait) both in the arrogance with which the technologically advanced culture approaches what it considers to be the less advanced culture of Irion, assuming that it will be able to take advantage of all her resources for it's own purposes. Irion is not as easy as it appears and neither is this novel.

[Genevieve · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved almost all of this book. The first two parts had it all: a fascinating, well-built world, an interesting magic system, great characters, compelling and lyrical writing, juicy description that wasn't overdone, and a rich soup of thoughts about religion, magic and science. The third part was much shorter and abandoned the main character, but it was still intertwined and it fleshed out two other major characters in ways the reader couldn't have gotten otherwise, so it was a valuable part of the story too.

Then there was the fourth part, the "ending" - if ending it was, as there was really no resolution and the conflict that the second part of the book seemed like it had been building toward happened completely off page. It felt completely rushed. After a bit I flipped back to the start of that section, thinking maybe I had missed something ... no, it just wasn't there. I really needed this section to be bigger and meatier. I wanted more of the story, and there seemed to be a lot more that should have been there.

Three stars for everything that was great about the first parts of the book, but that last section really left me with a feeling of "where's the rest of it?"

[Moira Crone · Rating 5 out of 5]

There were times when I was reading this book about two worlds where I was terrified it would end. I loved the very most the part where the manner of magic in the fantastical world is explained, as a form of singing that recreates---well I won't tell it all. I found I couldn't breathe, I was so interested. The world building is the finest part, and the fact that one civilization has just encountered another ( that was there all along---this is on the first chapter) and that other civilization has an entirely antipodal world view and mode of existence---this is the richest dimension of the the book, the contrast, and later, the challenge of that contrast. I found it a most elegant, and elegantly written, fantasy-sci fi and I want to read it again.
Grimsley is also a very fine novelist in the realistic department. MY DROWNING is a practically perfect book.
What is similar between the two is that his works always pose a thrilling question, and then make you wait a long time to find the answer, but by then, you have found other things to love.

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really sort of struggled over whether to give this a 3/5 or a 4/5. It deserves the 4, I think -- it's fabulously written, in a way that reminded me a bit of Ursula Le Guin or Joan D. Vinge, both in plot and in attention to detail, the story is well-rounded, I cared about the characters... BUT, it left me frustrated, because I felt like the book was a big set-up for books or short stories to follow. In many ways, it felt like a short story, in that like many short stories, it ends right BEFORE something big is supposed to happen, and is basically all about the build-up. But it was still good. I dunno, I have mixed feelings. Oh, BTW, this is a loose companion to Kirith Kirin, in that the setting is the same and so are a few of the characters, but this book takes place centuries later.

[Clarice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a reread, but I still think it is a really interesting read. The first time through I couldn't quite grasp what was happening in the storyline (I think I was distracted by a different book I'd just finished). This time around I'm rereading it because I'm reading the next book set in the same universe. The first half of the story is a fairly straight forward contact between two humanoid civilizations that are very different where one is scientifically focused and the other believes in and can do magic. The second half of the book delves more into the basis for the magic and gets out of linear storytelling and inserts a lot of bits of information. The very climax of the story is perhaps too short and not entirely satisfying but there's so many other interesting bits that keep you distracted from that.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked this book up from the library because it had a very interesting premise: There is one world that is very science-oriented, logical, over-populated and high-tech. There is another world that is flat, plentiful, and where magic is a proven reality. And suddenly there is a gate between the two. Talk about narrative tension! The beautiful dichotomy sets up an intriguing 'what if' story, with likeable characters, engaging plot and just enough mystery and suspense to keep you guessing. My only critique is that the ending seemed to wrap up too quickly, and at the same time left me wondering what happens next (post-book). I won't say too much more here, for fear of giving something away, but this is a read I definitely recommend. It makes me want to go read his other book set in one of those same worlds, Kirith Kirin.

[Meta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I couldn't decide between 3 or 4 stars. I was fascinated with the details of the magic. The time skipping was interesting.
I didn't really start to like this book until the last 100 pages or so, when I learned more about Malin and Jessex. I liked the theory that we all have a place in time. If one did live forever, how would that bend your perception of people, places and time? More stars because it was thought provoking. Malin and, Jessex were interesting. Less stars, I didn't feel the conflict for Jedda.
Jedda's character didn't have strong enough development for me to relate with her. The end felt abrupt.

[Steven · Rating 2 out of 5]

The first third is pretty bad because the author totally fails to flesh out the setting - he just uses nouns for places, things, and concepts that are fictional but go unexplained.

The second third gains steam and is pretty good - it sets up a plausibly epic story arc and a universe with many interesting possibilities.

The last third is boring again - a whirlwind tour of one character's history. Ultimately none of it has any effect on the plot.

The final chapter is a total cop-out; there's no actual ending the book, and none of the big questions set up in the second portion are resolved.

[Rei ⭐ [TrulyBooked] · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think I've ever read a book where I enjoyed the middle more than the beginning or the end. I struggled to get into the book at first, but then warmed to it once the plot got started up. Once I reached the end though, I felt like it had been rushed or maybe like I had been cheated of seeing more of the world. It's an interesting book for sure though and I'd recommend that people check it out despite my misgivings.

[Cindywho · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the original treatment of a fantasy world connected to a far future "science fiction" world. I'm a little worried that it's given me spoilers for Kirith Kirin, but I'd like to read that one also. The protagonist is middle aged and mellow - character development often suffers compared to intense world building, but the setting is so intriguing, that didn't bother me too much.

[Alnora1227 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jim Grimsley is basically the only SciFi author I will read. Narrow, true, but he transcends most genres I usually don't like. He's just that good.

This is a continuation of Kirith Kirin, his fantasy novel, and has a couple of the same characters.

It is a wonderfully intricate, elegant novel that melds SciFi and Fantasy and draws the reader into a great world.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book despite the fact that I felt there were some big plot holes that needed filling. The relationship between Malin and Jedda was interesting, and I was sad that the book ended on such a pivotal moment. I intend to go back and read Kirith Kirin and the follow-up to the Ordinary, just to get some more information on these two very different worlds.

[Elizabeth Hunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting hybrid of SF and fantasy that made me wish it were longer. There is something about it that feels like a young adult novel, but the sex scenes and gay characters probably rule it out for most families. The pacing is erratic and some of the characters' actions and attitudes seem unlikely, but it's a good read.

[Joe · Rating 2 out of 5]

a fun blend of sci-fi and fantasy, when a high-tech civilization discovers a gate to medieval society. throw in time travel and magic, and this is a fun read. however, the build up to the climax is never resolved, and you'll have to read the next book (The Last Green Tree) to find out what happened.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Ordinary is engaging, smart, colorful and just a whole lot of fun. At times the prose becomes almost lyrical, for good reason. In a world where magic and scinece collide, The Ordinary takes the reader on a wild ride into the far-future. I now want to return to that world and look forward to reading the other books in this series.

[Sharon Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

More like 3 1/2 stars and the only reason it is not four is personal taste. Good but I tend to like a bit more straight forward style. World jumping, time jumping, has character a met b before b met a in personal timelines. Big brother scrutinizing everything through personal electronics versus introducing oneself by a generic alias.

[Jim Garloff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well this was a strange read for me. I thought the writing was good and story kept me interested most of the time. But the ending just left me wondering 'is that all there is to this'. Perhaps I am missing some deeper meaning from this book. I will have to think about it. Maybe re-read the book. Well, onto some better books.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally new and different

Just a note to anyone who picks this up, read "Kirith Kairin" first. It's an arduous read, but well worth it.
This novel is brilliant and quickly infectious. It feels very new and different from any other fantasy novel. The mix of scifi and fantasy is well done and seamless.

A must for sure.

[rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to enjoy this, but after several false starts, lasting almost halfway through the book, I just couldn't get through it. The plot works, but the characters just aren't all that interesting.

[Melody · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dense, many-layered, complex science fiction. Puts me in mind of Le Guin's early stuff. A little too complex for me, but I enjoyed dropping into the narrative and being carried downstream. I cared about the characters, even as I struggled to place them in context.

[Michael O'Donnell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started with so much promise. Descended from there. The lead character took none of her history with her. Nice creation of a world and played with time and sexuality. Not enough to redeem the book. I will not read any more of the story, past or future.

[Jenny (Reading Envy) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing spectacular really. It felt like it used a lot of the same plot bunnies as a lot of science fiction books. Not terrible though, and not too lengthy.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool book. I'd read it again.

[Marita · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kind of sci-fi book where it is hard to say witch is better advanced technological society or land of myth and legend. It was also fun to try to figure out who were the good guys and who the bad?!

[Deforest · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one a lot. I was not expecting to do so... but there you go.