Even if many of the main characters in Willis works are scientists and that the setting is that of science fiction, her work is far from the standard (whatever it would be) science fiction. Mostly, because it does not deal with the "science" part of it (I guess she deems it as not important, which it is fine for me), but just take it and use it as a stage where to play with her characters and their feelings. So, it is kind of social-fiction.Here it is the case. However, one cannot shake off the feeling that for regarding a new world exploration something "technological" is missed. Even if the obviously lack of plausible/imaginative technology progress (being it either a space opera based or Clark's way) can be assumed as a special setting for the overly protected alien world, it simply does not work out. Once you assume space faring future as a fact (which it is implicit in the setting) a Far-West type of pioneering is hardly believable. And it drags along all the book, nibbling your SF heart mercilessly.As for the rest, it is a nice story, as usual in Willis, where the characters experience their inner feelings about love (I would say that this romantic setting is more or less present in all Willis books). Actually, the editors say that "(the characters) will soon find themselves (...) exploring the paths and precipices of sex. And love.", but I think that "precipices of sex" is somehow extreme. Could it be that they want to add some spice here to help the sells?. If you do not know Willis and look for some sex here, save yourself the time.Also, here it is another example of Willis' dislike for political correctness and absurd regulations (as in Bellwether) which gives the whole story its nice comedy-like atmosphere.Therefore, this is a small book (150 pages in this paperback edition), easily read with some interesting setting, but not overly fascinating.
This is a short, light-hearted SF read about a team of explorers of another planet filled with strange alien life--almost as strange as the relationships between the humans on this planet. Connie Willis's works seem to alternate between humor and incredibly detailed research (or sometimes both together, as in To Say Nothing of the Dog). This one is on the far end of the humor side of the spectrum, but it's kind of a quirky satirical humor mixed with with quite a bit of oddness and frustration. (Why do so many of Willis's books seem to involve frustrated people running around vainly trying to accomplish near-impossible tasks?) It didn't really grab me. I'm tempted to say "for Connie Willis completists only" but that would be a bit harsh. Anyway, think of it as a very short novel (or a longer novella) that explores the ideas of sex, love, territorial exploration and political correctness, with tongue firmly in cheek. It was a decent read but personally I expected more from a Connie Willis book.
What do You think about Uncharted Territory (1994)?
I like Connie Willis, but this novella didn’t quite work for me. The premise is nice: planetary surveyors Finriddy and Carson are scouting the planet of Boohte. They’re famous back home because of TV shows based on their adventures, but their reality is unglamorous as they deal with over-the-top govt regulations and an indigenous guide all too eager to enforce them. The book reads like an extraterrestrial Western of sorts, albeit one that serves mainly as a vehicle to (1) satirize govt bureaucracy and political correctness (imagine Star Trek’s Prime Directive taken to insane levels of caution) and (2) explore gender identity and politics. Willis excels at the former, as always, but the latter doesn’t really gel until the end, and in a way that doesn’t really pay off. I do get what Willis was trying to achieve here, and due credit for trying, but she doesn’t quite pull off the balancing act required to make it work.
—John Defrog
Connie Willis. What can I say? This is an old one which I have never read. Coming down from an legally administered opiate high (and dreadful low) after a brief spell in hospital I needed something to cheer my depression and feed my curiosity, tax my intellect and engross me at a page turning level. Who better than Connie Willis. This is a short book, took me less than two days to read, but a book that is long in themes and ideas and observation. Unlike some books ( Bookers)I have read in the past year, Uncharted Territory is exactly right, exactly the length it should be. Good hard Science/future fiction writers always amaze me and impress me. They have to write a good story, as good as any Irish or New York or German or Scandinavian or French or English contemporary novel. They have to create credible characters in another time or on another world. They have to invent landscapes and flora and fauna. They often need to invent languages as well as social interaction. They do all of this while keeping the story flowing and the pages turning and avoiding any literal explanations. There are not many as skillful as Connie Willis. Enjoy!
—Anthony Howarth
It took me a little while to get into Uncharted Territory, which at the beginning seemed like one of those bad sci fi books with new, spacey names for everything that I used to read in the early days of my adolescence. At first, I didn't really like it. There was the male attitude towards C.J, seemingly the only female in the story portrayed as willing to open her legs for any man who'd name a landmark after her, which I hated. But then there was the twist, which changed the way I perceived the
—Belinda
