THE PALE INVADERS

by G. R. Kestavan ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 15, 1976

The apocalyptic moment which erases modern civilization is becoming a distressingly familiar plot device in children's science fiction. Inevitably, the cataclysm yields some survivors, whose lives exist on a more primitive level than their forbears; and just as inevitably, the Machine takes the blame as the instrument of Society's destruction. In this version, fear of the Past has enveloped the members of a small, self-sufficient settlement. Through several generations, they shun outside contact and any reference to their historical or scientific heritage. However, one boy, Gerald, encouraged by an old man whose memory reaches back to the ""Upheaval"" itself, begins to challenge the ignorance and superstition which surrounds him. Gerald's discoveries are woven into the ensuing confrontation between his secluded community and the rest of the world. At this point, such material needs seasoning. Kestavan, though, does not explore the motives of his characters or their environment. What remains is a tidy enough package, but we couldn't escape the feeling that we'd read the whole thing somewhere before.

Pub Date: March 15, 1976

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 178

Publisher: Atheneum

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: March 1, 1976

Categories: FICTION