Pluribus : 73 A. D. - After Death, That Is

by Michael Kurland

Somewhere on the crumbling road between the Palisades Enclave in California and the remains of the Chicago Spaceport, a brightly-painted wagon rumbles along on the last rubber tires in the world. Mordecai Lehrer is moving east. His wagon is a traveling medicine show, a peddler's pack, home from part-time magicians—and a courier service for Earth's last enclaves of scientific knowledge. Ninety per cent of Earth's population perished in the Death, and the remaining ten blame the evils of godless science for that terrible plague. They would destroy the science-enclaves if they could—and they grow bolder day by day.But the enclaves know what the people scientists in the Mars colony have discovered that the plague will inevitably be followed by a mutant form virulent enough to wipe out all of the survivors of the first siege. Mars has also found a vaccine, and even now a suicidal mission of mercy is racing toward the ruins of the Chicago Spaceport.Meanwhile Mordecai Lehrer bumps across the plains of the west, carrying precious instructions from the California enclave on how to grow and use the vaccine. He travels in secret, and in fear, for all around him are the people whose lives will be saved if he succeeds—and who would kill him gladly to ensure his failure.

Genres: Science Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

aka Jennifer Plum

Michael Kurland has written many non-fiction books on a vast array of topics, including How to Solve a Murder, as well as many novels. Twice a finalist for the Edgar Award (once for The Infernal Device) given by the Mystery Writers of America, Kurland is perhaps best known for his novels about Professor Moriarty. He lives in Petaluma, California.

Reviews

[Henry Avila · Rating 3 out of 5]

The future in the late 21st century when a plague has murdered 90% of the population of the third planet from Old Sol is somber . The mighty United States is no longer that, when separate entities appear looking to conquer with envious eyes and decidedly anti-science in mood not a surprise though all blame it for the virus undeservedly, poor science. Everything will depend on an ancient just and courageous being, yes a man... Mordecai Lehrer to stop the total destruction of Terra, strangely there is a Mars colony which for seventy years hasn't been heard from, a vague red oasis in the dark sky almost forgotten until now, however their belief in science is thriving, unshakable, solid, nevertheless small, weak militarily, not an army marching and destroying all but good brains dedicated to better science and (the controversial word today)...progress... the quiet tiny
number of inhabitants occupying the distant globe are called amusingly Martians, not a real challenge against the millions of now barbarous humans left on Earth, they however reveal their existence...he Mordecai unlikely trying to save the world, to survive . Then again a wild plan is formed by the few educated , odd people , those Earthlings still caring...they can read. Mordecai a magician, a superb entertainer his sleight of hand tricks amaze the ignorant crowds, the illusions are free Mr. Lehrer a real gentleman, a genuine fact shown by how he doesn't unbelievable as it may seem to us...
even try to sell them snake oil medicine in a bottle (the full of alcohol kind, not medicinal truly ) . From ruined California to the city with big shoulders only a couple, squabbling teenagers in love Ruth and Peter, still constantly sulking when they perceive some minuscule affront from the other, to help every so often... incognito the wagon slowly rolls by their vital mission must reach its destination and the hungry ruffians the marauders, the would be dictators, look at a tasty morsel . Another man called the Martian ( he looks like a real one) being from the Red Planet by the weird name of Socrates Proudfoot (no pun required) will bring a vaccine sounds familiar, landing on Chicago's vacant spaceport in his ship a shuttle which glides in the atmosphere much like NASA's retired craft the Shuttle, could work. An old- fashioned science fiction book from the 1970's the golden age of the genre if you like an easy read which keeps you awake, a fine book enough said...

[Mikey Pietrzak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much like "the Road" but without all the death & destruction. In the end, it is very much a cliff-hanger, and a stand-alone novel that leaves you wanting more, but it leaves much to the imagination, which I like. If you are a hopeful person, it is a pleasant read, if not, that no.