N - Novels

The New Springtime (1990)

HB: Warner, 1990
PB: Warner, 1991, 472 pages, ISBN 0-446-36172-0

From the cover blurb:

The People came forth from eons of ice to rebuild the world at Winter's End. But the horrifying insect hjjks--led by an immortal telepathic Queen--also wish to rule the New Springtime, and they are learned, united, and powerful, while the People are ignorant, tribal, and split into warring factions. Now the hjjks offer the People a "treaty," a vision of security that is seductive, beautiful...yet absolutely inhuman.

If the tribes refuse, the earth will run with genocidal blood. The People will e exterminated, or they will destroy a race infinitely old and wise. If the hjjks are accepted, the People will have survived the Winter--only to lose their newfound humanity...

Forever.

Continues the adventures of some of the characters from At Winter's End.

Nightfall (1990) (with Isaac Asimov)

PB: Bantam Spectra, 1991, ISBN 0-553-29099-1

From the cover blurb:

The planet Kalgash is on the brink of chaos--but only a handful of people realize it. Kalgash knows only the perpetual light of day; for more than two millennia, some combination of its six suns has lit up the sky. but twilight now is gathering. Soon the suns will set all at once--and the terrifying splendor of Nightfall will call forth a madness that signals the end of civilization.

Isaac Asimov's story "Nightfall" first appeared in 1941. it has since become recognized as a classic, its author a legend. But the short story isn't the whole story. Now Dr Asimov has teamed with multiple Hugo and Nebula Award winner Robert Silverberg to explore and expand one of the most awe-inspiring concepts inf the history of science fiction.

In this novel, you will witness Nightfall--and much more.

You will learn what happens at Daybreak.

Note: the cover art is so unremarkable, I haven't bothered scanning it.

A novel-length retelling of the classic Asimov short story. Definitely not up to the standards set by either writer, and probably the most disappointing thing from Silverberg since the Sixties, though it seems to have its fans. My main problem with it is that although these Kalgashians live a long way from Earth and have never heard of us, they act exactly like Americans of the 1940s. And with very minor cosmetic differences, Kalgash is Earth. Maybe they were trying to make a point about humans, but it just doesn't work for me.

Nightwings (1968-69)

PB: Avon, 1969, 190 pages
PB: Sphere (UK), 1974, 192 pages, ISBN 0-7221-7834-4
PB: Avon, 1979, 190 pages, ISBN 0-380-41467-8
PB: Avon, 1983, 190 pages, ISBN 0-380-41467-8

From the 1969 cover blurb:

The Watcher had spent the decades of his life scanning the vast depths of space for invaders. And then they came and conquered, and his purpose in life was done.

As the conquerors established control and men collaborated, or went into hiding, or resisted sullenly, the Watcher began to travel. He studied ancient mysteries and prepared himself for a destiny he could not foresee. In the ancient holy city called Jorslem he hoped his youth might be returned to him, and he might claim the slim young girl he had come to love.

But much more than his own destiny awaited him in Jorslem. For the girl was much more than she seemed...

A wonderful "novel" made up of the three linked stories "Nightwings", "Among the Rememberers", and "To Jorslem". See the individual entries for a description of the plot and setting.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Science Fiction has a number of listings dealing with Nightwings.

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Last updated October 21, 2002

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