British Science Fiction Association Awards
Kiteworld
Set in a post-nuclear England, the story portrays a kite corps that patrols the borders of the Realm in enormous man-lifting kites. Through the encounter between Helman, a visiting religious authority, and a kite captain who doubts the faith, it reveals both the peril of the aerial duty and the machinery of fear that sustains the society.
Work Information
The duty of watching over the Realm from the sky is both a ritual of protection and an ordeal that drives one man to his limits.
"Kitemaster" is the opening story from which Keith Roberts developed the linked novel Kiteworld. To protect the Realm from the threats said to lie beyond the Badlands, the kite corps raises immense kites into the air and maintains a watch shaped equally by old technology and religious ritual. The tense exchange between Helman and the kite captain asks whether the faith that sustains a community is also a form of confinement.
Review Summaries
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It has been characterized as a dark parable of the collision between science and religion, distinguished by its striking image of men keeping watch from kites.
Book Information
- Publisher
- Gollancz
- Published
- 1985-06-01
- Pages
- 256 pages
- Language
- 英語
- ISBN-13
- 9780575036048
- ISBN-10
- 0575036044
- Price
- 3015 JPY
- Category
- 洋書/Literature & Fiction/Literary
Amazon配送商品ならKiteworldが通常配送無料。更にAmazonならポイント還元本が多数。Roberts, Keith作品ほか、お急ぎ便対象商品は当日お届けも可能。
Reviews
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Four Stars
Not his best, but here is a master of alternate reality sci-fi. You can't go wrong reading Keith Roberts.
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A well written and thought-provoking series of stories set in a post-apocalyptic world.
An interesting and thought-provoking book from the author of the more famous Pavane. Roberts postulates a post-apocalyptic world (a bit reminiscient of "The Chrysalids" by John Wyndham) in which the enemy takes the form of ethereal beings which can be deterred by flying kites. Larger kites are manned by an armed force which is both religious and military in nature, and this book is a series of connected short stories following this common theme. It is a much darker and more adult book than Pavane, and in my view (as a parent) is really only suitable for 15 years old and upwards, however it does have a happy ending. Roberts is a compelling story teller, good enough that now that I have been introduced to his books I am slowly working my way through those that I can find in print.
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book well described, perhaps undersold quality level
As opposed to many used book sellers on Amazon, this one appears to understand used book quality conditions. Perhaps even understates the condition which is the side a collector wants any error to occur on. Well packed and promptly shipped. Recommended.