Tough-O-Meter

We've got your back. With the Tough-O-Meter, you'll know whether to bring extra layers or Swiss army knives as you summit the literary mountain. (10 = Toughest)

(7) Snow-Line

There's a great story there in Woman on the Edge of Time—but you've got to work for it a little. Time, character, plot, even what's real and what isn't can be hard to figure out. So we put it up by the Snow Line; it's a worthwhile trek, but stay alert out there in the mountains: you could trigger an avalanche if you scream, or even alert the roving packs of murderous yeti.

But like a good trek up the mountains, the payoff of Woman on the Edge of Time is a beautiful, moving vision, both of the present scenery and a pretty breathtaking future.