The writing is very stilted in this tale of stymied love in a future earth. The only reason I persisted in finishing the book is because it was so close--but so far-- from a different book I had read about 20 years ago & wish I could find again. Similarities: The majority of humans have abandoned Earth, one returns and finds a thriving Native-American-style civilization. Differences: in this version, the returnees are a whole crew, led by a manipulator who intends to control whatever he can find of value. And there is a unicorn thrown in for good measure. In the lost version, the returnee is a single woman, come to check on the health & well-being of the planet. She meets a coyote-style medicine man. If you know that one, send me a message. ( )