| In Elysia, youth is prized above all. It is a city of appearances, of beauty and false fronts, of circuses and dances, of sugared cakes and liqueurs. As people begin to show signs of age, they travel down, underground, to “Under” the hidden city where the “old ones” go to die. The celebrated band, Ecstasia, composed of Calliope (keyboard), her brother Rafe (drums), her lover Dionisio (bass) and Paulo (lead guitar and singer/songwriter), live and play in Elysia. When Calliope's visions draw her “Under” to find her dying mother, Rafe follows her down, encountering the beautiful and enchanting tightrope walker/addict, Lily. After Lily's death, Rafe turns to the drug Orpheus to find her in his dreams and is only saved from his addiction by his friends/family in Ecstasia. He flees the false city for the real, difficult desert.
In order to bring her brother back, Calliope returns to “Under” in search of Doctor, who she believes can create an oasis of plant life and greenery in the midst of their mirage-like city. The tale is written in Block's lyrical, whimsical style and is peppered with Ecstasia's songs. It precedes ‘Primavera' in a series of two. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - cynical or dry-wit FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy world/fantasy past Repressive society story Yes Repressive because: Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 0 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 30 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 60 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 10 % Main Character Identity: - Female Profession/status: If magical mental powers: - can see into the future Main Adversary Identity: - Male Profession/status: Intelligence - Very much smarter than other characters Setting Terrain Earth setting: - medium future 22-24th century Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - vague references only - descript of kissing - licking - impregnation/reproduction How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog |
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