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High Couch of Silistra (Silistra Quartet Book 1)

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Dystopian. Biology shapes reality... One woman's mythic search for self- realization in a distant tomorrow... Her sensuality was at the core of her world, her quest beyond the civilized stars. Aristocrat. Outcast. Picara. Slave. Ruler. "Engrossing characters in a marvelous adventure." - Charles N. Brown, Locus Magazine "The amazing and erotic adventures of the most beautiful courtesan in tomorrow's universe" - Frederik Pohl "The best single example of prostitution used in fantasy is Janet Morris' Silistra series... Estri's character is most like that of Ishtar who describes herself as "'a prostitute compassionate am I'" because she "symbolizes the creative submission to the demands of instinct, to the chaos of nature ...the free woman, as opposed to the domesticated woman". Linking Estri with these lunar and water symbols is not difficult because of the moon's eternal virginity (the strength of integrity) links with her changeability (the prostitute's switching of lovers). [...] Morris strengthens the moon imagery by having Estri as a well- keepress because wells, fountains, and the moon as the orb which controls water have long been associated with fertility, [...] In a sense, she is like the moon because she is apparently eternal, never waxing or waning except in her pursuit of the quest; she is the prototypical wanderer like the moon and Ishtar. She is the eternal night symbol of the moon in opposition to the Day- Keepers [...] At her majority (her three hundredth birthday), she is given a silver-cubed hologram letter from her mother, containing a videotape of her conception by the savage bronzed barbarian god from another world. [...] If Estri's mother then acts as a bawd, willing her lineage as Well-Keepress to her daughter, then Estri's great-grandmother Astria as foundress of the Well becomes a further mother-bawd figure when she offers her prophetic advice in her letter: "Guard Astria for you may lose it, and more. Beware of one who is not as he seems. Stray not in the port city of Baniev ...look well about you, for your father's daughter's brother seeks you". Having no brother that she knows of does not stay Estri from undertaking the heroic quest of finding her father." - Anne K. Kaler, The Picara: From Hera to Fantasy Heroine Read more

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Perseid Press; 3rd edition (January 24, 2016)


Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 24, 2016


Language ‏ : ‎ English


File size ‏ : ‎ 616 KB


Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited


Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled


Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported


Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled


X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled


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Top Amazon Reviews

    • A true fantasy classic that sets the bar at a height few will ever reach
To truly appreciate the epic scale that encompasses The High Couch of Silistra, you need to understand the complexity and profundity of thought Janet Morris incorporated into the historical foundation that forms Silistran society. I’ll summarize what you need to know here: Thousands of years before our story takes place, Silistra faced catastrophe, a catastrophe so severe that all life would have been wiped out were it not for the prudence and tenacity of a special group of people, the Day Keepers and the forereaders. (The Day Keepers are guardians of Silistra’s history – past, present and future – whilst the forereaders are those who have received training in the understanding and management of future probabilities as they affect the unfolding development of Silistra’s eternal destiny) They, it was who, having predicted the coming calamity, ushered a select number of Silistran’s into one of seven specially prepared hides (deep underground life-support complexes) sixty years before disaster fell, where refugees would be able to wait for the wounds inflicted upon their world to heal. After millennia had passed, thousands of survivors and their progeny emerged to reestablish their civilization under a set of precepts known as the “chaldra.” Simply put, the chaldra is a form of self-rule, deeply influenced by the circumstances of Silistran society’s enforced isolation and the consequences of their reduced birthrate thereafter, and the eternal outworking of their eternal destiny. The chaldra edicts and guides the standards, morality and governance of Silistra in all situations and is divided into two broad spectrums. High-chaldra – those tasks and responsibilities undertaken to strengthen the spiritual/inner consciousness of the individual and/or society as a whole, in relation to the metaphysical outworking of their eternal future, and; Low-chaldra – that pertaining to the survival and betterment of the mundane individual and the acquiring of life skills relating to material import only. It is essential you understand these tenets affect all of the main laws, duties and labors of Silistran life – even their approach to sexual practices and preferences, relationships and family matters. Yes, all are determined by chaldric. Indeed, an individual’s dedication to their society’s wellbeing is represented by the chald, a belt of chains soldered about a person’s waist, each colored link of which denotes their various accomplishments. With the foundation thus revealed, we can better appreciate the setting. More than twenty-five and a half thousand years have passed since Silistran refugees emerged from their hides. The emergent population naturally settled in those areas close to the hides. Such locations became known as “Wells” – places where some of the highest ranking and most respected members of their civilization made their home. Our story takes place, as told from the perspective of Estri Hadrath diet Estrazi. Estri is “High Couch” a position known formally as “Well-Keepress” of the capital city of Astria. She is celebrated for her beauty, her lineage and the fact that as High Couch of the most celebrated house of pleasure in all the civilized stars, she commands a great price. Although highly sexualized, Well-Keepresses are by no means looked upon as prostitutes. Far from it, for their role and entire modus of operating is intimately bound to the social and moral development of Silistran culture as a whole. Don’t forget, because of the horrors inflicted upon them in the past, Silistran’s still struggle with infertility and shockingly low birthrates. To compensate, not only have Silistran scientists developed a serum that restores youthful vigor and extends life far beyond its normal span, but the couch system was devised whereby the very best genetic traits could be harnessed to ensure future generations would benefit. And the Well-Keepresses would know exactly how to accomplish this through whom they choose to couch, for they are among the strongest forereaders in existence, and are able to manipulate the very texture of time to select the ultimate outcome. In comparison to others, Estri is young. On her three hundredth birthday, she receives a silver cube containing a holographic message from her mother who died when Estri was born. In it is a video of Estri’s actual conception revealing her father to be none other than a mysterious godlike barbarian from an unknown mystical race. Such a legacy bodes well for all Silistra, and her long-dead mother counsels Estri to reach out to the stars in an effort to find her father and his people in order to claim the full might of her heritage. Moved by her mother’s impassioned plea, Estri accepts the “chaldra of the mother” and sets out on a remarkable pilgrimage. While I won’t reveal the details of that quest here, be advised, Estri endures trial and tribulation, pitfall and peril aplenty...and it is here that we come to the crux of this remarkable tale, for Janet Morris has skillfully highlighted a profound truth within the pages you will read: That, like it or not, the differences between the masculinity of men and the feminine wiles of women are very real. Poles apart, many feel such differences will always prove a barrier to true understanding. But in an evocatively subtle way, the abuse, turmoil and heartrending loss Estri and her travelling companions face underscore philosophical karma at work...that sometimes, tenacity and strength of character are of higher value than strength of arm, and that it’s only by facing such hardships with determination and courage that a person – no matter what their gender or sexual orientation – can truly grow into the individual they were meant to be. Let me say in conclusion that I thoroughly enjoyed this story. A science fiction and fantasy aficionado, I cut my teeth on the likes of Asimov, Clarke, Bradbury and Heinlein. I went on to develop a taste for Tolkien, Le Guin, May, Donaldson and Feist. Just a glance at this list should hint at the refinement of my reading tastes. But, such is the way of things that, as I grew up and adult life invariably got in the way; I ended up missing a true literary gem the first time it was presented to the world. Well, better late than never. In High Couch of Silistra, you’ll find the pomp and space opera scope associated with the likes of Dune. You’ll find a vocabulary reminiscent of Stephen Donaldson at his best. And you’ll discover a flair for worldbuilding few can match. My bookshelf reeks of quality, and soon, there’ll be another series proudly filling the little space I have left. Bravo Janet Morris, a true fantasy classic that sets the bar at a height few will ever reach. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2015 by Mr. A Weston
    • A must-read of dystopian erotic literature
This was truly excellent, and my only regret is that I didn't read it sooner. I will start by mentioning something that might seem trivial on face value but is actually important: Morris starts the book with a map of the world she is writing about. Readers understand that any epic worth its weight is well thought out enough to have a map of the lands and where everything is in relation to everything else. More importantly though is that the map looks like something that would be included at the beginning of Lord of the Rings. That is so say it is extremely professional and genuine-looking. This is important because it lets the reader know they are in for a serious story that is on par with the classic epics, and Morris does not disappoint. Her writing is well-paced and as an avid reader I loved that she never copped out and took the easy (i.e., lazy) way of writing scenes and dialogue. I was impressed by the descriptions and the way scenes unfolded without feeling like they were too wordy or too fast. Morris displays her skills as a writer with her pacing and the degree to which she describes people and scenes. I will make it clear: there is a lot of sex in the book--a lot!--and while the story is highly erotic in nature it is never overly tawdry like Fifty Shades of Grey. I would describe this book as Erotic Dystopian Literature. Erotic because of the sex and the way it is described. Dystopian because of the unhappy future. And Literature because of the way Morris tells her story, treating the reader with respect. I also appreciate that while there are more books in the series and I will surely be reading them, the ending of Book 1 does not have a cheap cliffhanger ending. Like the original Star Wars, there is closure but you also understand that the story will keep unfolding. Too many books these days rely on a cheap cliffhanger because it's the only way to try and entice the reader to keep reading. Morris trusts the reader to appreciate the world she has created and the story she has begun to tell and that makes a big impact. Highly recommended to anyone who likes dystopians or erotic literature. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2017 by Tom Manne
    • Doesn't make a whole lot of sense.
Don't get me wrong, it's an interesting read. I stuck with it and finished the book, and it wasn't as if I was doing a distasteful chore. The progression of the story defies logic, as do all of the characters decisions. Countless times I found myself asking: "Why would you do that? Are you completely stupid? How did you get to where you are with judgement like that?" And yet it goes on. For all of the sex in it, it is not very interesting sex. Graphic, but it has a distanced flavor. The editing is excellent and the language is pleasing. The construct is odd, but not detracting, instead supportive of the entire notion of the book. Only marginally worth the read. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2017 by Like It Is
    • So glad it is on Kindle
I first read this years ago. So glad it is on Kindle. Though all four in the series aren't.
Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2016 by Diana
    • Beautifully Executed. One to read again and again.
I confess that I can hardly believe this was written in 1977 originally. The concept and style of writing, in my opinion, are very modern and have strong feminist tones. Ms Morris writes with an exceptionally skilled hand - her fantasy worlds come alive like a breath of air and I found myself swept into this tale, so much so I could hardly put the book down. Estri, the heroine, appears like a bronzed Goddess before your eyes and she has quite a quest to complete. She is off to find her father, an outworlder, and discover her destiny. With the help of her mother and grandmother, she will have a few portents and pieces of advice with which to take with her, but this will not be an easy journey. The story is sexual in nature and cleverly analyses human behaviour, both good and bad. You'll find a little of everything inside - politics, relationships, culture, greed, power and desire... It all makes for an exceptionally entertaining read. It will go down as a favourite in my bookshelf - one to read again and again. ... show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 14, 2016 by Anari

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