A Door into Ocean

What is the Science Fiction Premise?

In A Door Into Ocean, we learn about a moon, Shora, that is completely covered with water. This moon was colonized long ago by women who are able to reproduce without men. This society of "Sharers" is quite different from the more familiar patriarchal society of the nearby planet, Valedon. Though the Sharers' society is more rural -- albeit on the ocean -- among their key assets are much more highly developed biological technologies and sciences. Though Valedon and Shora are close enough to permit relatively rapid transit and therefore trade, they are part of a larger galactic empire that has lost the ability for faster-than-light travel causing interactions to occur over decade-long intervals.

Is the science of the premise explored?

Let's start by teasing out the details that appear to interest the author from those that do not. The author is not greatly interested in the galactic empire. We learn that millennia earlier, when humans had the ability for faster-than-light travel, they scattered among the habitable planets of the galaxy. Later, the empire formed and planets were either brought under control or eliminated. There is only a little more. Mostly this serves to explain how humans came to Shora. There is not much explanation of why that settlement turned into an all-female society or how exactly it developed the ability to reproduce without men.

There is a bit more discussion of the Sharer's biological sciences and technologies. While it is difficult to comprehend these capabilities in the absence of traditional manufacturing, the author does provide many descriptions of a more "organic" approach to research and development. Once we accept these advanced genetic and biological capabilities, it becomes easier to accept that the Sharers can reproduce without men and can adapt to the ecology of Shora.

One of the author's key interests is what it might be like to live on an all water world. We are offered very detailed descriptions of how the Sharers live in an ocean world: how they can have homes, how they communicate throughout Shora, how they achieve transportation, and much more. A key aspect of this is that the Sharers' techniques are ecologically benign. They are a part of Shora; not its conquerors.

The other key interest and probably the most important theme is how a society of women might differ from a familiar patriarchal society. Among the Sharers, we observe an egalitarian society that is keenly focused on both individual control and communal responsibility. Decisions are made through a form of "quaker consensus". Punishment is a form of "shunning". I do not know of any science to support it, but this is an interesting take on how women might organize themselves in the absence of male domination or even influence.

Is the impact of the premise on an individual explored?

A Door Into Ocean has a great many characters who are followed in detail. We are offered an extensive look at how the all-female, ocean-faring society shapes its inhabitants. We see how several people from Valedon experience Shora. And, we get a glimpse of how Shorans experience Valedon.

The two most important characters are a leader from Shora and the young boy from Valedon that she brings to Shora. Her goal is to rescue Shora from an impending conflict with Valedon. The boy's response to living in Shora is a key to whether she will achieve success.

Is the impact of the premise on society explored?

As stated earlier, the book is keenly interested in contrasting Shora's egalitarian, non-violent society with that of a more traditional society, like Valedon's. It can be a bit difficult at times to tease out which aspects of Sharer society derive from the ocean world and which derive from an all-female society. This ambiguity is probably beneficial, however, since it leaves open some hope for men.

How well written is the story?

The story is well-written. While it was long, it kept moving.

I did find the book challenging. It calls on you to see things from multiple perspectives. One of these perspectives is novel unless you have been raised a Quaker or in some other non-violent tradition. It also confronts you with what it takes to extend the definition of humanity to embrace those who are different. Finally, it takes you through a journey that includes both hope and despair.

Can I recommend the book?

A Door Into Ocean is a strange mix of action and contemplation. I doubt that everyone would like it, either because it is too preachy or because it is considered feminist. While it is preachy, this is achieved in people's actions as well as their words. And, while it is feminist, neither the men nor women are one-dimensional. I did enjoy it and can recommend it to anyone who will take the time to read it carefully and think about what it has to say.

Tar Daddoo