Being a Green Mother

Written by Piers Anthony

Narrated by Barbara Caruso

Piers Anthony's best-selling Incarnations of Immortality series has delighted readers with its wonderful mixture of contemporary situations and unconventional views of traditional magical themes. Being a Green Mother continues Anthony's entertaining look at society through a lens of magic. Orb is four years old when she first hears the wonderful music of the morning. Gifted with a magic that makes her songs irresistible anytime she sings or plays the harp, she spends her life seeking the source of the mystical music that controls all things. After years spent with Gypsies and traveling shows, Orb finally feels she's getting somewhere when she hooks up with the Livin' Sludge, a rock band that could use all the magic they can find. Unfortunately, there's still the pesky little matter of a prophecy to deal with: the prediction that Orb will someday marry Evil, the devil himself. Barbara Caruso's lyrical narration is a wonderful addition to this endlessly inventive series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 10, 2007
• ISBN: 9781436102278

Piers Anthony

Piers Anthony is one of the world’s most popular fantasy writers, and a New York Times–bestselling author twenty-one times over. His Xanth novels have been read and loved by millions of readers around the world, and he daily receives letters from his devoted fans. In addition to the Xanth series, Anthony is the author of many other bestselling works. He lives in Inverness, Florida.

Reviews for Being a Green Mother

[aharey · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Orb spent her life searching for the magic song of the Llano. When she meets Natasha, she feels as if she’s met her match. She begins to become more than a musician as she becomes more enmeshed with the Llano.This is my favorite of the series. I like how everything in the other books comes together in this book. Although I truly hate the name Orb (really- how stupid a name is this?), I really do like her character. I still don’t like the misogyny that is so prevalent in Anthony’s books, but I’m able to look past it a little in this book. My biggest complaint with this book, though, is how he didn’t name the members of the band- it smacks of laziness on the author’s part.

[csweder · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I have read some reviews that have said this book was to be the last in the series, an I can understand that because Anthony does a superb job of tying everything together from the previous four novels. But I also know there are three more books I can't wait to read!

This book is much like the others--where it follows the process of a new incarnation taking office, however, it differs in that the new Green Mother doesn't take her office until the last hundred or so pages. The majority of the book is Orb's (Luna [Death's girlfriend]'s 'cousin/sister' and Niobe [Fate]'s daughter, War's old girlfriend, and Orlene [Time's gf]'s mom) quest for the song of the Llano--the song that can heal the sick, cure addiction, etc.

A good read!

[avoraciousreader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Orb Kaftan is born into a special family. Her father can make magical music and her mother was once an aspect of Fate. Her half-brother is a powerful magician and her niece can see auras and paint them. Orb herself has an incredible amount of music magic. As she grows her talent grows with her and when she becomes an adult she sets out to find the ultimate music of all, the Llano. Traveling all over Europe to various gypsy camps, she seeks the elusive music. In India she falls in love, but he’s taken from her. Continuing her quest in the United States has her meeting several new people who become important to her including Natasha, a handsome man who teaches her more about the Llano. But is everything the way it seems? Her mother has taken up the mantle of Fate again and comes to warn Orb about the prophecy that she will marry Evil and to offer her the job of the Green Mother. Orb has some big decisions to make and having lost one man she loved will she lose another?I know I’ve said that I love this series, but if I had to pick a favorite inside it I’d say this one was it. Of course, it’s been many years since I read books 6 & 7, so I’ll need to reread those to be sure, but for now, this book is the one. Starting when Orb is four and following her into adulthood I love reading about all she has experienced. Though she is a tad obsessive about the Llano, at least she’s a decent person. My favorite part of the whole book is at the end. I’ve cried each time I’ve read it and I can’t remember what happens in the next book. So, I’m really looking forward to reading For Love of Evil. Of course, neither library system near me has it and I have no idea where I’ve stored my copy. Gah!

[david.alfred.sarkies · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I am not really sure of how many of these books that I have read, but I believe that I read them during my wasted years and therefore will assume that I have read up to number seven (there is an eighth, but that was published in 2000, long after I have moved on from Piers Anthony). The incarnation at the centre of this book is Nature, or Gaia (which is a Greek word that, well, means nature, though the translation that I understand it as being is sort of Earth as a living entity) and like the other book, this book has connections with the previous stories, and though they are all technically stand alone, it can be difficult understanding the nature of some of the characters unless you have read the previous books.This story reminds me of the story of Hades and Persephone, and I suspect that the story is based upon the same. There are a lot of elements of Greek Mythology running through this series, and while the incarnations are not truly reflective of the Greek Gods (Chronos was not the god of time, in the same way that Hades is not an evil god), I can see that he has borrowed from the mythology in writing this book.The reason that I compare this book to the story of Persephone is that in that story Hades kidnaps Persephone, who is the daughter of Demetar, the goddess of grain and the fields, and as a result the seasons come into play. In this book, the main character takes the role of Nature, and in doing so discovers that she is prophesied to marry Satan. Once again Satan attempts to manipulate things so that he might get his way, and in this book he does. Nature has fallen in love with him, and wants to marry him, but in doing so, Satan realises that he can no longer be the incarnation of evil, so resigns.This, I learn from the synopsis of this book that Satan is not the fallen angel of the Bible, but just a human like all of the other incarnations, and like the others, he can step down from his role as well. However, he is still the protagonist, and as usual, is attempting to destroy all of creation in the process.

[librarydanielle_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

each time I read these I find different themes/aspects that I didn't before. the last time I read this one I was in college. now I'm living my own life and the sacrifices seem more poignant. while this one isn't my favorite of the series it is one of the more powerful.

[scoshie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

# 5 of the Incarnations of Immortality-- Great ReadIt is discovered that young Orb, the Aunt of Luna, has the gift of conjuring natural music that emanates from things in nature. She sets off on a quest for a magical song known as the Llano, a song supposed to be the most beautiful imaginable. During the beginning of her search, she meets and helps a young Gypsy girl who was blind, teaching her song and dance as such most men never see. She also joins up with a circus for a short time, meeting there the man that would later become War, and realizing after his unwanted departure that she is pregnant with his child. Upon having his child, she takes the baby, the young Orlene, to her Gypsy friend with the understanding that the woman would find her daughter the best possible home. Later on, she joins up with a rock and roll band. Her magical singing allows them to lose their drug addictions, and they quest together until she is approached by her mother, Niobe (who had left her office to have her with Pacian, thus effectively making Orb the aunt of Luna as well as her cousin through their fathers), in the guise of Fate. She is told that she has been selected to fill the role of Nature (Gaea), but that a prophecy foretells that she may one day marry Satan, and then the problems start.

[jechtshot · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Being a Green Mother has the distinct honor of being the worst of the five Incarnations of Immortality Books thus far. In the fifth book, Piers Anthony tackles the incarnation of Nature, the supposed most powerful of the earthly incarnations. However, I take issue with several points in this book: (1) Orb Kaftan begins manipulating the powers of nature well before she takes office. In previous stories, the Incarnations have stepped in to correct the situation when this occurs and (2) 98% of the book is spent on Orb the mortal and her taking on the role of nature has very little impact on the storyline.My advice for those contemplating reading this series. Stop at book three and read something else. That said, I am about to start book six: For Love of Evil. I am prepared for disappointment.

[jessicariddoch · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

you know I cannot remember a single thing about this book, I know that I have read it at some point but the story has simply walked away from my memory (even with the book blurb to prompt me).

[willowcove · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This series is definitely very YA. They are easy reads but enjoyable. A very unique concept.

[tadad_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

What the h*** am I doing reading these things? I'm not enjoying them. It's desperation during the lean summer months...I keep hoping he'll finally hit his stride. I'm stopping here.

[arouse77 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

fifth in the "incarnations of immortality" series. concerning Nature, and at least initially intended to be the climax of the series. with strong themes of music as magic and the incredible power of the force of nature i found this book particularly appealing personally. the main character is a little prissy for my tastes, but ultimately sympathetic nevertheless. among my favorites in this series.

[surreality_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Plot: The usual for the series. Coming-of-age and coming-into-power, with magical and supernatural interferences and trouble from known sides. The plot dragged considerably in the middle. The ending isn't too bad. Characters: They don't feel like real beings. Odd dialogue, strange relationships that are never quite comprehensible. Motives for actions are occasionally lacking. There's no development going on; the characters feel the same at the end of the book as they do at the beginning. Style: Godawful dialogue. It's been bad throughout the series, but here it sometimes seems the characters are reading off a script rather than acting naturally. Nice descriptions. Plus: Some interesting ideas and little plot twists. A potential conclusion to the series. Minus: The characters are forgettable. Summary: A brief rally in the series, but it's not enough.

[omrythea_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is one of the better ones in the series. Enjoyable. :)

[kamuningangels · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Seriously? Natasha? Couldn't Piers have come up with something more imaginative than that? Sigh. Not counting, that, though. I thought this story was only surpassed in excellence by For The Love of Evil.