Customer Reviews

West of the Sun

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West of the Sun was Pangborn's first novel, published in 1953. While it is not his best (that would come with his second, the International Fantasy Award-winning A Mirror for Observers) it does end on such a poignant and hopeful note that the reader is left with many profound thoughts on which to ponder. The story revolves around six U. S. astronauts stranded on the far planet of Lucifer, and they must survive and cope with not only each other but also with that planet's two native sentient species. Many years later, when a rescue ship finally arrives, they decide to remain to continue developing their thriving society. This reissue is from Old Earth Books, and it is their intention to follow-up with all of Pangborn's titles in uniform editions. It is extremely encouraging that there is renewed interest in this excellent but sadly neglected writer.

This is the first volume in the reprinting of ALL of Edgar Pangborn (includig such hard to find non-sf as "The Trial of Calista Blake" and the next to impossible to find "Wilderness of Spring") by Old Earth Books. Comes with great quotes from Harry Tutledove ("Edgar Pangborn was one of the really great ones."), Kim Stanley Robinson ("One of the greatest American science fiction writers.") and John Clute ("It takes us away to a better world, where it leaves us. Today, we need this.")

So, what is the novel about?

A spaceship crashes on a planet the crew names: Lucifer - Son of Morning. Full of hope and excitement, the six explorers encounter an alien world full of bat-winged monsters, painted witches, and armies of pygmy cannibals. But for each threat, objects of great beauty await them: blue fireflies, red-green forests, vast mountains and deep seas. With ever dwindling supplies, and a war in the making, these adventurers emabark on one of the most fascinating journeys of survival in science fiction . . . somewhere West of the Sun.