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Purlieu
A WORLD APART
It was an ordinary life for a young boy: living alone with his parents in a vast, beautiful, but empty world, reading fairy tales about another world where huge numbers of people fought and loved under a capricious moon. August was taught from an early age that things would someday change, and he would have to leave home on a great adventure. But August’s greatest adventure would begin closer to home, the day of the Pajama Wind, when he stepped out of his bedroom window and found that he wasn’t bound by gravity and could soar among the clouds. Little did he know that the strange, crimson lights that surrounded him as he flew possessed devastating power that can help him on his quest -- or destroy whole worlds. And then one day his parents are gone, and he must journey into unbelievable danger to find them again, a quest across half a world, without the slightest clue about why. Thrown into the heart of an insoluble mystery, August will find the shattering truth of his own---and Purlieu’s—extraordinary destiny.
"A delightful adventure story set in a marvelous world filled with mysteries and wonders. Purlieu is being marketed as a teen book, but don’t let that put you off: it’s one of those universal stories that any age can appreciate."
--Analog Science Fiction Magazine
“Original, intelligent and challenging. Michael Capobianco has written an unpredictable, unconventional tale certain to linger in the reader's mind.”
--Paula Volsky, author of Illusion
It was an ordinary life for a young boy: living alone with his parents in a vast, beautiful, but empty world, reading fairy tales about another world where huge numbers of people fought and loved under a capricious moon. August was taught from an early age that things would someday change, and he would have to leave home on a great adventure. But August’s greatest adventure would begin closer to home, the day of the Pajama Wind, when he stepped out of his bedroom window and found that he wasn’t bound by gravity and could soar among the clouds. Little did he know that the strange, crimson lights that surrounded him as he flew possessed devastating power that can help him on his quest -- or destroy whole worlds. And then one day his parents are gone, and he must journey into unbelievable danger to find them again, a quest across half a world, without the slightest clue about why. Thrown into the heart of an insoluble mystery, August will find the shattering truth of his own---and Purlieu’s—extraordinary destiny.
"A delightful adventure story set in a marvelous world filled with mysteries and wonders. Purlieu is being marketed as a teen book, but don’t let that put you off: it’s one of those universal stories that any age can appreciate."
--Analog Science Fiction Magazine
“Original, intelligent and challenging. Michael Capobianco has written an unpredictable, unconventional tale certain to linger in the reader's mind.”
--Paula Volsky, author of Illusion
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2017
1 person is currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Michael Capobianco
13 books8 followersMichael Capobianco has published two solo science fiction novels, Purlieu (Placeholder Press) and Burster (Bantam). He is co-author, with William Barton, of the controversial hardcore sf books Iris (Doubleday, Avon Eos), Alpha Centauri (Avon), and the critically acclaimed alternate history Fellow Traveler (Bantam), as well as several magazine articles on planetology and the exploration of the solar system.
Starlog Magazine called their final collaboration, White Light (Avon Eos), "a literary treasure."
Born in Washington, D.C. in 1950, Capobianco graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies. For many years he was involved in the development of computer simulations and game software. An amateur astronomer, he is a member of the International Occultation and Timing Association (IOTA). His observations were critical in determining the size and shape of asteroid 102 Miriam.
Capobianco served as President of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) from 1996-1998 and 2007-2008. He received the Service to SFWA Award in 2004 and is currently Advisor to SFWA's Board of Directors. He lives in Southern Maryland with two cats, Ariel and Mocha.
Capobianco was married to science fiction author Ann C. Crispin, who died in 2013.
Starlog Magazine called their final collaboration, White Light (Avon Eos), "a literary treasure."
Born in Washington, D.C. in 1950, Capobianco graduated from the University of Virginia with a major in Interdisciplinary Studies. For many years he was involved in the development of computer simulations and game software. An amateur astronomer, he is a member of the International Occultation and Timing Association (IOTA). His observations were critical in determining the size and shape of asteroid 102 Miriam.
Capobianco served as President of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA) from 1996-1998 and 2007-2008. He received the Service to SFWA Award in 2004 and is currently Advisor to SFWA's Board of Directors. He lives in Southern Maryland with two cats, Ariel and Mocha.
Capobianco was married to science fiction author Ann C. Crispin, who died in 2013.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
September 9, 2017
A boy who can fly in a world he can never quite understand. This is an unusual read that is a quest for something that is always just out of reach. The writing style is one that is well-structured and easy to read. Of the characters involved only the lead role seems to be human, all others the reader is left to make up their own mind. This forces the reader to take the characters at face value as perceived by the main character. An unusual approach but one that is successful in that the reader is never spoonfed background that would make them better off than the lead character.
As well as the characters the world building is quite fascinating as there is much that appears earth-like and yet so much more that seems constructed. Once again this places the reader at a disadvantage since the world is not so alien as to be accepted as such, or earth-like that assumptions can be made. This applies to environmental factors as well as plant and animal life. All is not quite right and comfortable.
The quest itself provides the book with direction and purpose. There is sufficient novelty and events to hold the attention throughout. There are points at which there is tension but these are eased through and resolved.
The conclusion to the book provides more information but does not really resolve the central character's situation or questions. As such, this may set the scene for a sequel.
If you are looking for something quite different to read, then this might well be the book for you.
As well as the characters the world building is quite fascinating as there is much that appears earth-like and yet so much more that seems constructed. Once again this places the reader at a disadvantage since the world is not so alien as to be accepted as such, or earth-like that assumptions can be made. This applies to environmental factors as well as plant and animal life. All is not quite right and comfortable.
The quest itself provides the book with direction and purpose. There is sufficient novelty and events to hold the attention throughout. There are points at which there is tension but these are eased through and resolved.
The conclusion to the book provides more information but does not really resolve the central character's situation or questions. As such, this may set the scene for a sequel.
If you are looking for something quite different to read, then this might well be the book for you.
September 3, 2017
A fun and adventurous ride of a novel. I enjoyed Purlieu and all it had to offer. Author Michael Capobianco creates a world of fantasy for readers, and I stayed up late to finish this one.
This is a book that would work as a reading experience for young adults, as well as older audience. Recommended for science fiction fans.
This is a book that would work as a reading experience for young adults, as well as older audience. Recommended for science fiction fans.
January 12, 2018
Entertaining Intrigue
Easy read, with some big questions which stay dangling after I turned the last page. Can we really all be a hero, but plodding along looking for answers?
Easy read, with some big questions which stay dangling after I turned the last page. Can we really all be a hero, but plodding along looking for answers?
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews