Customer Reviews:
| Showing reviews 1-5 of 8 | | NEXT » |
 Inspirational glimpse of a far better way of life May 17, 2008
Ecotopia is such a visionary piece of writing, miles ahead of its time. It tells the story of life in an Ecology State long before the term had been developed by modern day Ecology Separatists. It is written in the first person, from the viewpoint of a reporter from the USA, entering a country in the Pacific Northwest which has declared itself independent and decided to build a steady-state sustainable society which exists in harmony with nature. It has uncanny parallels with those in the US and Canada calling for a green-inspired Republic of Cascadia today.
The book has everything. Stimulating ideas, drama, suspense, intrigue, violence, even sex, and leaves you thinking the way we live today is simply a disaster waiting to happen but offers hope of a way to make things right.
 The Soviet Union in The USA !!! December 8, 2003
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
The writing is somewhat stilted, so I did not find the book to be "gripping reading". It will never become "literature" in the way Orwell's 1984 did, but it deals with a similar theme. Eco terrorists have held the world to ransom, and have managed to secede from the United States, forming their own eco-friendly nation on the west coast. So far so good, but the book depicts what is to me a horrifying vision of what would be if any kind of fanatical grouping manages to take power. For those of us who have visited the old Soviet Union, here is a depiction of the same thing, but in a part of the USA. I have the feeling that the author was trying to make it look like a vision of heaven on earth, but it seemed to me like Hell ! Instead of the Utopia the author tries to put over, it seemed to me more like a Dystopia. Beware all fanatics, whether they be religious, political or eco-friendly. They'll all screw with your freedom to think, and that's what this book shows. It is interesting from that point of view, but I only give it 2 starts because I didn't find it easy to read. I found myself making excuses not to pick it up, and I was glad when it was over.
 Good, but w/o a lot of regular literary components July 3, 1999
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
While I found this novel engaging, and hard to put down, there were many problems with the piece itself. One of the main criticisms that can be heard about this book is the lack of characterization. The protagonist is woefully under-defined. I almost felt as if his ecotopian lover was more interesting than he was. As well, many of the protagonist's friends in the novel are without development. Second, everything in the novel fell in to place far too easily. Everything bordered on a pleasant fantasy, instead of something that could actually happen. The idea is intriguing, and this novel certainly could be seen as a manifesto for a 'stable-state', the lack of realism turned me off. And finally, I was dissapointed in the climax and resolution of the work. I knew by about half-way through the book the exact outcome of the ending. All in all though, it was interesting. I would recommend it as a good read, but not without criticisms.
ECOTOPIA is a realistic goal & an inspiration April 26, 1999
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
My first experience with ECOTOPIA was with my 11th grade English class in Anchorage, Alaska. We were each given a copy of it to read, discuss, and write about. That was back in April of 1990, when Earth Day was 'big'. Now Earth Day doesn't get much mention at all, just a few seconds in the news on April 22. It is sad to see that the environmental enthusiasm has lost its momentum with my lost and now markedly apathetic generation: Generation X (as the media marketers labeled it to sell things). ECOTOPIA is an inspiration, a must read for everyone... It is possible to achieve a world of balance and health like ECOTOPIA if we break our addiction to non-renewable resources and cynicism: There WAS life before corporations and more connectedness, too. This book shows what we can achieve when we DOUBT the lies of the consumerism culture that have us believing that using most of the world's resources is good & the 'American way.' The Native Americans were very wise and had it right when they said to Respect the Earth. It is the Earth who has sustained us for countless millennia, What have we given back to the Earth besides pollution and greed? :)
You must read this book... it will haunt you forever. January 11, 1999
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
I read this book ten years ago, and at least once or twice a year since then. I take it with me when I travel, and I have given it to everyone I know. Ernest Callenbachs vison of what life could be, and should be like is inspiring and has made me think twice about everything I do. I find myself thinking about the message of this book at least once a week. Although it is a novel with some unimportant sub-plots, I enjoyed and savored every word of it. A must for everyone who cares about the country and the planet.
|
