Tiptree's skill at depicting alien psychology was shown in "Love Is the Plan the Plan Is Death" (1973; winner of a Nebula Award for best short story), which is told from the viewpoint of a giant alien arachnid.
Each thread of the novel, which is told in alternating narratives, is convincing and compelling.
(Ms. Gordimer's biology point is perhaps made in the book's second tale, which is told by a tapeworm).
I had a difficult time with the opening section of the story, which is told from Eugene's point of view.
Halfway through his tale, which is told over several sessions in various atmospheric European locations, he vanishes.
By the way, just to be clear, that beginning-of-the-affair scene occurs at the end of the play, which is told in reverse chronology.
The story, which is told by a private eye, attempts to fit the words "Mr. Reagan" and "read Proust" into every sentence.
The real pleasure of this book derives not from its village conventions but from its beautiful little love story, which is told with skill and humor.
Take this example, which is told twice in the book: a flock of sheep approaches the Finnish border in a panic, pleading to be allowed entry.
So is the story of Mr. Makhmalbaf, now 44, which is told in the documentary "Stardust Stricken, Moshen Makhmalbaf: A Portrait," also newly available.
