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Sarama is the servant of the White Mare, the Lady of the Horses. Her mother died giving birth to her and her twin brother Agni. Agni is the heir of the king of the White Horse tribe; Sarama is heir to an older tradition, from before their mother's people became a part of the male-ruled tribes.The old woman who was the White Mare's servant before her told Sarama that she will be the last one. There's no one else of the pure bloodline. When stories reach the tribe of a wealthy land far to the west...
White Mare's Daughter is technically a historical novel, but I find it hard to classify it as such. This takes place way back in prehistory, around 4500 BCE or so, featuring a pair of cultures that it is impossible to know much about. Moreover, Tarr uses a contentious interpretation, and then takes a fair amount of artistic license to build her societies. Moreover, the world is drawn in broad enough strokes that it is hard to get a grasp on, and I never got more than the vaguest notions of the l...
One of the most feminist fantasy novels I've ever read. The patriarchal society of the horsemen of the steppe clashes with the matriarchal farming society of the western cities, and both societies learn. (Admittedly, the horsemen learn a lot more from the farmers than the other way around.)Upshot: super-feminist book, with subverted gender roles done cleverly and with reason. Strong female characters, who are not "strong female characters" because they do men's things, like hunting and fighting,...
This book reads as a completely fantasy novel about the meeting of a war-like nomadic patriarchal culture and a pacifistic agricultural matriarchal culture. It was a fascinating, lovely, long book with good characters. Some of the plot twists you could see coming, and some you couldn't. (Unless, apparently, you are my mother.) Some of the plot was a little bit far-fetched, but it was still an engaging read with good characters. What made this book for me was the author's note at the back that de...
I might try again on day, with an ebook, but the audio doesn't work for me.
As far as the prehistoric fiction genera is concerned, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas is my gold standard, with Morgan Llywelyn close on her heels, with herThe Horse Goddess earning the silver, and Jean Auel, bronze. Judith Tarr doesn't quite measure up to Auel's level of story-telling. However, she does know her horses and any passages about them make the narrative thoroughly enjoyable. I also like the fact that Marija Gimbutas' theory about women-centered egalitarian cultures informed Tarr's story-...
This is actually one of my favorite books. Judith Tarr writes very interesting books, of which I have read several. She knows her history and writes with detail. White Mare's Daughter is in the line of The Clan of the Cave Bear , but focusing on a horse culture vs a Mother (female) culture. It is believable feminist fantasy,
Wonderfully told. Turns gender ideology on its head even for someone used to questioning preconceived gender/ sex roles. And to put it in a beautifully told & well researched historical novel with strong female characters that feel rich & whole is a all out lovely read.
I found this book fascinating with its gender reversal. The story was richly told, and the characers were well written. I love when I can imagine exactly what someone in the story should look and act. I will continue to read the next books in this series with pleasure.
I loved it. The matriarchal society blending with the nomadic patriarchal society was beautifully written and extremely exciting. It was full of passion, love, and spirituality. I can't wait to read the sequal.
One of my favorite books!
Prehistoric epic, steppe nomads bring war to goddess's cities
Fantasy with a plot around a matriarchy ruled by the Horse Goddess ... but a great read nonetheless.
I enjoyed Judith Tarr ~ White Mare's Daughter. But it left me going DAHhh. Soooo. It all seemed too tidy. 3.2 stars.
This was just a fun book to read. The characters were interesting, the time period was intriguing, and the horses were beautiful. I enjoyed it. :)
One of my favorite books of all time.