Bone Dance by Emma Bull
"Bone Dance," a novel by Emma Bull, is a captivating blend of science fiction and New Age spiritualism, characterized by its intricate plot and strong character development. Set in a technologically advanced urban landscape, the narrative follows Sparrow, a trader of collectible media, who becomes embroiled in a conflict against corrupt city authorities. After a mysterious incident leaves her with a gap in her memory, Sparrow seeks the guidance of her friend Sherrea, a tarot reader, and is soon drawn into a series of events involving mind-controlling entities known as Horsemen.
As Sparrow grapples with her identity, she discovers her connection to these powerful figures and learns about their dark past, including their role in a catastrophic nuclear war. The story takes a darker turn as Sparrow faces severe challenges, including betrayal and trauma, but ultimately leads her to a communal space filled with mystics where she undergoes a spiritual transformation. This journey of self-discovery and empowerment culminates in an alliance with Frances, another Horseman, as they unite against a more formidable foe, striving to create a new, more humane world. With themes of personal growth, community, and resilience, "Bone Dance" invites readers to explore the intersection of technology and spirituality in a rich, imaginative setting.
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Subject Terms
Bone Dance
First published: 1991
Type of work: Novel
Type of plot: Science fiction—cyberpunk
Time of work: An indeterminate time in the future
Locale: An unidentified American city
The Plot
Following the publication and positive critical reception of War for the Oaks (1987) and Falcon (1989), Bone Dance (subtitled A Fantasy for Technophiles) continues Emma Bull’s exploration of high-tech fantasies through tight, well-constructed plot and characterization. In it, she utilizes science-fictional technologies tempered with New Age spiritualism.
The story follows the adventures of Sparrow, a trader in “Big Bang” collectible videos and CDs, and her ultimate clash with the corrupt authorities who control the city. After a successful video sale to the city boss, Albrecht, Sparrow wakes up in an alley unable to remember the previous twenty-four hours. She goes to see Sherrea, her friend and a mystic tarot reader. Sherrea informs Sparrow of strange and cataclysmic events in the near future and her role in them but has no knowledge of Sparrow’s lost time.
Spurred on by the mystery, Sparrow is contacted by Mick Skinner, who claims to know about her missing memories. Pursued by two strangers Skinner is eager to avoid, they make it back to Sparrow’s apartment and warehouse. After Skinner’s strange and inexplicable death, Sparrow is kidnapped by the two strangers, who say they are city employees. Sparrow is told that Skinner was a Horseman, one of a group of mind-control soldiers who destroyed Earth in a nuclear war through jealous competition. Horsemen not only have the power of mind control but also can “ride” other people, willfully occupying and directing their bodies.
Sparrow is kidnapped again, this time by Frances, another Horseman, and a resurrected Skinner, who now occupies another body. In the conversations that follow, Sparrow is told that she herself is a “horse,” a pre-holocaust, genetically grown container for exclusive use by Horsemen. This effectively wins Sparrow over to their plan of killing the most evil Horseman, Tom Worecski, who is also the real power in control of the city. Their attack fails, and Skinner is captured. Sparrow must offer her body for sex to ensure the escape of Frances.
After her brutal rape, Sparrow finds herself recuperating in a communal village peopled by mystics and Hoodoo magicians. There, she undergoes a psychic rebirth in which she comes to terms with who and what she is and begins to learn the importance of friendship and community. Her spiritual strength is renewed, and her friendship with Frances blossoms. They plan and undertake a second attack on Worecski and the government. This time, they ask a whole panoply of gods for help, and the attack succeeds. Worecski is killed, and the promise of a new humane order is established. Sparrow gives up city life and returns to her new spiritual community.