Out of Earth's past

Press, 24 September 1983, Page 18

Out of Earth's past

The Non Born King. The third book in the Saga of the Exiles. By Julian May. Pan, 1983. 393 pp. $6.95 (paperback). (Reviews by Rod Dew) Julian May’s “Saga of the Exiles” has developed into one of the most impressive science fiction works of the modern day. This is the third book concerning a group of misfits and unsuccessful rebels from the twentysecond century who are thrust back six million years through a one-way timegate.

Some have metapsychic powers; others have their latent powers of the mind amplified by golden tores. They struggle for control over the dominion of the Tanu and the Firvulag, two extra-terrestrial races who have settled on Pliocene Earth. This book is a continuation of the same theme, with the difference that Gibraltar has been ruptured and the lowlands of the Mediterranean flooded, leaving the Tanu in complete disarray. Aiken Drum, whose mind powers have increased enormously since he passed through the time gate, has aspirations of becoming king of the Pliocene world, and in a version of “the battle of the gods” he succeeds. But this is not the end of the saga. There is more than a suggestion that a reversal of the time-gate will become possible, allowing the exiles to return to their former time. This will be chronicled in the fourth book, which will be entitled, “The Adversary.”

“The Non Born King” is first-class science bordering on fantasy, and the quality of the writing is probably superior to that of the two previous books, “The Many-Coloured Land” and “The Golden Tore.” May writes with such realism that one could almost accept his version of the happenings in Earth’s distant past as genuine history. A lengthy series such as the “Saga of the Exiles” could easily become tedious. Authors are frequently tempted to stretch the plot further than is reasonable. However, this criticism cannot yet be levelled at May. Each book has provided some enthralling reading. The inter-woven stories at times become a little complex and confusing, but the over-all theme remains vivid. All three of the books so far published have contained unusually detailed synopses. In “The Non Born King” 36 pages are devoted to the summary of what has gone before. It is possible to read and enjoy any one of the books out of sequence. But having read one, the reader is left with a desire for more.

Space 8: A collection of science fiction stories chosen by Richard Davis. Hutchinson, 1983. 109 pp. $19.25.

This is another excellent anthology in the “Space” series. There are, by coincidence, eight stories in this eighth collection by Richard Davis and they range from strange worlds in outer space to strange happenings on Earth. Several of the stories are light-hearted, which makes a pleasant change. Some could benefit from a little more elaboration, but the collection should have wide appeal among science fiction devotees. There is a fascinating tale by Adrian Cole of the Yeti’s view of the world from high in the mountains. A shattering end to a space voyage of light years occurs in Tim Stout’s “Close Encounters of the Worst Kind.” The miniature space craft is crushed beneath the heel of a human.

The most memorable story is the last, Bob Shaw’s “Light of Other Days.” This sad and haunting piece concerns slow glass, which can store images. It takes light up to 10 years to pass through this remarkable substance. Events taking place years before can be seen by those looking through it. The basic idea is so simple that one is left wondering why one did not think of it first. The story is a splendid finale, leaving the reader with the desire for more of the same.

Planet ot Evil. By Carol Main. Hodder and Stoughton, 1983. 111 pp. $17.50. An extra-terrestrial humanoid family visits Earth to share Christmas with a family of humans. Unfortunately, the festivities are thoroughly disrupted when two of the extra-terrestrials are kidnapped by some rather disreputable aliens known as Gjens. A kidnap message sends the father of the extra-terrestrials, Captain Andris, and the guardian of the Earth children, Dr Sutherland, off on a rescue mission to the evil planet of Gdenessu. Ironically, the kidnappers never leave Earth. Their space ship is grounded by an electrical fault. This is very definitely a science fiction tale for children, and about children. Enid Blyton, had she been bom 20 years later than she was, might well have written something like this. It is obvious from the start that the baddies do not have a chance and that right will prevail. But this will not worry young potential astronauts. Children’s science fiction is in great demand and “Planet of Evil” is an excellent addition. This is the second book by Carol Main using the same characters and will probably not be the last.