Davy (novel)
Encyclopedia
Davy is a post-apocalyptic science fiction
novel by American writer Edgar Pangborn
, nominated for the 1965 Hugo Award
. It is set in the Northeastern United States
some centuries after an atomic war ended high-technology civilization, with some scenes on an unnamed Atlantic island
.
The novel is a bildungsroman
, following its title character, Davy (who grew up a ward of the state and thus has no last name) as he grows to manhood in a pseudo-medieval society dominated by a Church that actively suppresses technology
, banning "anything that may contain atoms."
Davy begins as an indentured servant
in an inn, but escapes, and most of the novel is concerned with his adventures. The book is written as though Davy himself were writing his memoirs, with footnotes by people who knew him.
The novel's post-apocalyptic setting was also used in the novel The Company of Glory (1975) (set several centuries earlier), and numerous short stories including those collected in Still I Persist in Wondering (1978)
See also: Edgar Pangborn#Science fiction (Davy series)
uneasily gave Davy a mixed review, saying that while he enjoyed the novel and held Pangborn in high esteem, he found that the book "achieves its marvelous effects by talking tough while following faithfully along a line of beloved cliches, . . . cliches of the self-confident Establishment tickling itself." He concluded that although Pangborn "had done a rare and wonderful thing in making his protagonist "a believable, impressive, vivid and memorable character," the novel became innocuous, "totally acceptable entertainment around characters and events which would actually have made the audience run in panic . . . just the perfect cheap thrill."
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel by American writer Edgar Pangborn
Edgar Pangborn
Edgar Pangborn was an American mystery, historical, and science fiction author.-Life:Edgar Pangborn was born in New York City on February 25, 1909, to Harry Levi Pangborn, an attorney and dictionary editor, and Georgia Wood Pangborn, a noted writer of supernatural fiction...
, nominated for the 1965 Hugo Award
Hugo Award
The Hugo Awards are given annually for the best science fiction or fantasy works and achievements of the previous year. The award is named after Hugo Gernsback, the founder of the pioneering science fiction magazine Amazing Stories, and was officially named the Science Fiction Achievement Awards...
. It is set in the Northeastern United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
some centuries after an atomic war ended high-technology civilization, with some scenes on an unnamed Atlantic island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
.
The novel is a bildungsroman
Bildungsroman
In literary criticism, bildungsroman or coming-of-age story is a literary genre which focuses on the psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood , and in which character change is thus extremely important...
, following its title character, Davy (who grew up a ward of the state and thus has no last name) as he grows to manhood in a pseudo-medieval society dominated by a Church that actively suppresses technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
, banning "anything that may contain atoms."
Davy begins as an indentured servant
Indentured servant
Indentured servitude refers to the historical practice of contracting to work for a fixed period of time, typically three to seven years, in exchange for transportation, food, clothing, lodging and other necessities during the term of indenture. Usually the father made the arrangements and signed...
in an inn, but escapes, and most of the novel is concerned with his adventures. The book is written as though Davy himself were writing his memoirs, with footnotes by people who knew him.
The novel's post-apocalyptic setting was also used in the novel The Company of Glory (1975) (set several centuries earlier), and numerous short stories including those collected in Still I Persist in Wondering (1978)
See also: Edgar Pangborn#Science fiction (Davy series)
Reception
Algis BudrysAlgis Budrys
Algis Budrys was a Lithuanian-American science fiction author, editor, and critic. He was also known under the pen names "Frank Mason", "Alger Rome", "John A. Sentry", "William Scarff", and "Paul Janvier."-Biography:...
uneasily gave Davy a mixed review, saying that while he enjoyed the novel and held Pangborn in high esteem, he found that the book "achieves its marvelous effects by talking tough while following faithfully along a line of beloved cliches, . . . cliches of the self-confident Establishment tickling itself." He concluded that although Pangborn "had done a rare and wonderful thing in making his protagonist "a believable, impressive, vivid and memorable character," the novel became innocuous, "totally acceptable entertainment around characters and events which would actually have made the audience run in panic . . . just the perfect cheap thrill."