West of Eden
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| West of Eden | |
 Original paperback cover for West of Eden |
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| Author | Harry Harrison |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Series | Eden trilogy |
| Genre(s) | Novel, Science fiction, Alternate history |
| Publication date | 1984 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| Preceded by | None |
| Followed by | 'Winter in Eden' |
West of Eden is a 1984 science fiction novel by Harry Harrison.
Contents |
[edit] Overview
In the Earth that exists in this novel, the asteroid that struck Earth 65 million years ago causing the mass extinction level event which wiped-out most of the reptiloids never happened, leaving the way clear for an intelligent dinosaur species to eventually evolve from the mosasaur branch (this is an error by the author, as mosasaurs are not dinosaurs but a species of reptile related to the modern monitor lizards, meaning that Yilane are not dinosaur-people but lizard-people).
These lizard-people are known as the Yilané, who become the dominant lifeform on most of the planet. During their evolutionary process, the species became non-viable on the two American continents, leaving them free of Yilané for millions of years.
Humanity, however, evolved there (and only there), and by the time the novel begins have reached a late stone age level of technology and culture.
The Yilané have a very advanced society, which is primarily based on a mastery of the biological sciences, especially genetic engineering, so much so that almost every tool and artifact they use is a modified lifeform. Their boats were originally squids, their submarines are enhanced ichthyosaurs (here called uruketos), and their guns are evolved monitor lizards which eject projectiles using pressurised gas.
The Yilané are a matriarchal society. The females control all political, military, and scientific aspects of the culture and keep the males segregated. Males are primarily poets and artisans, and enjoy dull, pampered lifestyles, but repeated matings will kill them, so they are very wary of the females. The Yilané language is incredibly complex, based on both sounds and body movements, and a key factor in social status among females is how well the language is mastered.
[edit] Plot
The story revolves around the eventual discovery of the American continents by the Yilané, who are searching for new resources and territories (being reptiloid, and thus cold-blooded, they prefer to live in tropical and sub-tropical zones).
Eventually, of course, they encounter the human race, whom they regard as barely sentient animals. Humans, in their turn, are xenophobically terrified of the Yilané, and it is not long before a state of conflict exists between the two species.
The central characters are Vaintè, an ambitious Yilané; Stallan, her vicious and obedient adjutant; and Kerrick, a "ustouzou" (the Yilané word for mammal) who is captured by the reptiloids as a boy, raised as a Yilané, and eventually escapes to rejoin his own people, becoming a leader. Another notable character is Enge, who leads a faction of pacifist Yilané who reject the militaristic and violent attitudes of other Yilané, especially Vainte, and who befriends Kerrick while he lives with the Yilané.
[edit] Notes
The story continues in two sequels, Winter in Eden and Return to Eden.
The title is a play on East of Eden, the John Steinbeck novel about social injustice, whose title is itself a play on the concept of the Cain's flight East of Eden after murdering his brother Abel. He departs to the Land of Nod.[citation needed]
The title can also be seen as a reference to the book of Genesis. Adam and Eve are driven east out of the Garden of Eden. Being "west of eden" then, is a reference to the counterhistorical premise of the novel.[citation needed]
[edit] External links
- West of Eden page on Official website
