The Dawning Light
by Randall Garrett and Robert Silverberg
writing as Robert Randall*
Form: Novel
Year: 1957
ID: 204
Publication history:
- 1959: The Dawning Light, Gnome Hard cover book, 191 pp.
- 1964: The Dawning Light, Mayflower Mass market paperback, 189 pp.
- 1981: The Dawning Light, Donning Starblaze Trade paperback
- 1982: The Dawning Light, Ace Mass market paperback, ISBN 0-441-13898-5, 216 pp.
- 1987: Planet der Dmmerung, Lbbe Mass market paperback, ISBN 340422101X, 432 pp., in German
Blurb:
(from Ace 1982)
On the planet Nidor the ties of tradition and stability were coming undone. Unprecedented things kept happening, and although nothing could be traced to the Earthmen, it was clear that the troubles had begun with their arrival.
Norvis peRahn Brajjyd, unjustly expelled from the Earthmen's school, believed he knew why: the Earthmen were not emissaries of the Great Light, as they claimed, but demons from the Outer Darkness. He vowed that he would stop at nothing, even the most unthinkable deed, to break the hold that the aliens had on the people and the Council of Elders.
Other resources:
[None on record]
Comments:
A quite readable story from the early years which is the sequel to The Shrouded Planet. The story centers on Kris peKym Yorgen and his rise as the leader of the grassroots movement against the Earthmen. Norvis peRahn is there as the Merchant Party Secretary, with helpful suggestions and advice, but is not the central character for most of the book. The story is a little unusual for its time period in that the aliens (not the humans) are the viewpoint characters, the alien religion is treated seriously and respectfully, and even characters in opposition to the protagonists are given sympathetic roles. In spite of the cover painting, the underwater scenes in the story are done without any diving gear.