Helpful Score: 1
Despite the age of the story (penned in 1976), it has a definite flavor of modern post-apocalypse science fiction. Government gone mad, ecological disaster, the surveillance state, and the rugged individualists who decide to find their own answers.
Having previously read the book in middle school, I remembered it fondly. So much so that I tracked down a copy here on PBS to see how well it has held up over the years. I do not, however, remember it being this dark. In today's watered-down world I wonder if it would pass the school board's approval vote?
I am glad to see it continue to be listed as a "children's" book. Much like the Heinlein "juveniles" (Rocket Ship Galileo, etc) it may be read on several levels. It tells an interesting sci-fi adventure tale from a teenage point of view while at the same time it is a sharp commentary on the nature of government and the perils of ignoring sound ecological policies. There is no in-your-face preaching, but the point is clearly made.
Thirty years have passed since I first read this book. I still find it to be an engaging bit of speculative fiction. So much so that I once I received it I finished it in one sitting, and refreshed a good memory from childhood.
I highly recommend it.
Having previously read the book in middle school, I remembered it fondly. So much so that I tracked down a copy here on PBS to see how well it has held up over the years. I do not, however, remember it being this dark. In today's watered-down world I wonder if it would pass the school board's approval vote?
I am glad to see it continue to be listed as a "children's" book. Much like the Heinlein "juveniles" (Rocket Ship Galileo, etc) it may be read on several levels. It tells an interesting sci-fi adventure tale from a teenage point of view while at the same time it is a sharp commentary on the nature of government and the perils of ignoring sound ecological policies. There is no in-your-face preaching, but the point is clearly made.
Thirty years have passed since I first read this book. I still find it to be an engaging bit of speculative fiction. So much so that I once I received it I finished it in one sitting, and refreshed a good memory from childhood.
I highly recommend it.
Helpful Score: 1
Despite the age of the story (penned in 1976), it has a definite flavor of modern post-apocalypse science fiction. Government gone mad, ecological disaster, the surveillance state, and the rugged individualists who decide to find their own answers.
Having previously read the book in middle school, I remembered it fondly. So much so that I tracked down a copy here on PBS to see how well it has held up over the years. I do not, however, remember it being this dark. In today's watered-down world I wonder if it would pass the school board's approval vote?
I am glad to see it continue to be listed as a "children's" book. Much like the Heinlein "juveniles" (Rocket Ship Galileo, etc) it may be read on several levels. It tells an interesting sci-fi adventure tale from a teenage point of view while at the same time it is a sharp commentary on the nature of government and the perils of ignoring sound ecological policies. There is no in-your-face preaching, but the point is clearly made.
Thirty years have passed since I first read this book. I still find it to be an engaging bit of speculative fiction. So much so that I once I received it I finished it in one sitting, and refreshed a good memory from childhood.
I highly recommend it.
Having previously read the book in middle school, I remembered it fondly. So much so that I tracked down a copy here on PBS to see how well it has held up over the years. I do not, however, remember it being this dark. In today's watered-down world I wonder if it would pass the school board's approval vote?
I am glad to see it continue to be listed as a "children's" book. Much like the Heinlein "juveniles" (Rocket Ship Galileo, etc) it may be read on several levels. It tells an interesting sci-fi adventure tale from a teenage point of view while at the same time it is a sharp commentary on the nature of government and the perils of ignoring sound ecological policies. There is no in-your-face preaching, but the point is clearly made.
Thirty years have passed since I first read this book. I still find it to be an engaging bit of speculative fiction. So much so that I once I received it I finished it in one sitting, and refreshed a good memory from childhood.
I highly recommend it.
