The Butterfly Kid
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| First edition paperback cover. | |
| Author | Chester Anderson |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science Fiction novel |
| Publisher | Pyramid Books |
| Released | 1967 |
| Media Type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 190 pp |
| ISBN | NA |
The Butterfly Kid is a science fiction novel by Chester Anderson originally released in 1967. It was nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1968.[1] The novel is the first part of the Greenwich Village Trilogy, with Michael Kurland writing the second book (The Unicorn Girl) and the third volume (The Probability Pad) written by T.A. Waters.
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[edit] Plot introduction
The novel is primarily set in Greenwich Village, and is thoroughly saturated with psychedelic and 1960s counterculture elements. The use of psychoactive drugs and their affects are a central element of the story; much of the action revolves around an alien-introduced drug (referred to as "Reality Pills") that cause LSD-like hallucinations to manifest physically, generally causing chaos. The book's protagonist shares a name with the author, and another character shares the name of Michael Kurland, a friend and roommate of the author's at that time.[2]
The book's title refers to a character who is able to spontaneously produce butterflies of all shapes, sizes and colors after taking a "Reality Pill." Although this character, whose name is Sean, is introduced very early in the story, he is not the novel's central character.
[edit] Literary significance & criticism
The book's counterculture subject matter and lighthearted tone have led to it being associated with the New Wave movement in science fiction.[citation needed] Although some reviews state that the novel is "written with wit and elegance,"[3] and "an engaging expression of countercultural exuberance,"[4] another points to it being "already dated" as of 1984.[5]
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ List of Hugo Award nominees in Locus magazine
- ^ Anderson, Chester (1967). The Butterfly Kid. Pyramid Books, ?.
- ^ Nicholls, Peter (editor) (1979). The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, 1st, Roxby Press, 30.
- ^ Barron, Neil (editor): "Anatomy of Wonder: A Critical Guide to Science Fiction," page 223. R.R. Bowker Company, 1987
- ^ Wingrove, David (editor): "The Science Fiction Sourcebook," page 91. Van Norstrand Reinhold Company, Inc., 1984
[edit] References
- Anderson, Chester (1967). The Butterfly Kid. Pyramid Books.
