The Islar: A Narrative of Lang III

by Mark Saxton, Bob Pepper (Illustrator)

Classic Science Fiction

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction, Fantasy

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1969

Reviews

[Maura · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting fan-fiction work, The Islar tells the story of Lang III, the grandson of John Lang of the original Islandia. It's a bit slow starting, mostly political stuff, but all making sense in light of the original story. Set in the mid-20th century, the country has modernized slightly from John Lang's time, in that it has limited radio and telephone communication, a few airfields, and a monorail (which made me laugh because it brought to mind a particular episode of "The Simpsons"). Just as in the original book, there is conflict between the traditionalist Dorn faction and the modernizing Moras. Strange events, attacks and threats happen, and Lang III must pick his way carefully as he tries to figure out who or what is behind all of it.

Most of the story is about the political maneuvering, and it isn't until the last couple of chapters that much action occurs. I wished there had been a little bit more fleshing out of the characters and their backgrounds, but that's just me wishing to know more about the original cast. Saxton does refer to a few of those people in that Lang III's mother is a Hyth, a niece of Nattana. There are still Dorns, Dornas and Tors in this tale, but no specifics are given for us to know exactly how they are related to the original ones we knew. Tantalizing - makes me feel like writing my own fan-fic of JohnLang, Gladysa and the rest.....

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with Saxton's Havoc and The Two Kingdoms, his Islandia prequels, this sequel is a bit better than 3 stars, but just not long and deep enough to make 4. Perhaps a bit more action in this one that the other two and the original - for good or ill - and a pretty good feel for the country and its culture. Required reading for Islandia fans. Very glad to have discovered it. Looking forward to sinking in to Wright's Islandia again, maybe this winter while the snow swirls outside.

[Bish Denham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've had a first edition (1969) copy sitting next to my well-worn, well-read copy of Islandia for at least (dare I say it?) 40 years, and in all that time I've never had the nerve to read it. I was "afraid" I'd be terribly disappointed or that I'd be upset with this particular turn in Islandian history.

I've been pleasantly surprised.

First I have to say this is not really a novel in what I would consider the true sense of the word. It is not truly plot, action, or character driven. Even though it has those qualities, they are not it your face. It tells more than shows. The Islar is more like an accounting of a series of extremely important events that pull Islandia and its people, whether they want to go or not, into the 20th century. It is both sad and hopeful. Things cannot stay the same even though I long for it. Islandia must modernize, either on their own terms or be swallowed up and change forced on them by others. It is sad and hopeful.

Over-all I found it strangely relevant and it will remain next to my copy of Islandia

[Joe Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Islar (1969) reminded me of Laurens van der Post's "Flamingo Feather" (1955): Mysterious goings on, strange ships in the harbor, threats internal and external to the nation, have Lang III perplexed until aha! the Commies are behind it all he comes to realize. The Islar is very much the Cold War era thriller. Ian Flemming could have come up with the plot. As Flamingo Feather is set in South Afrika The Islar is set in Islandia but it needn't have been. There's nothing essentially Islandian about the story, or nothing that couldn't have been set in any real or imaginary Third World Southern Hemisphere nation just as convincingly or moreso.

I want to like everything Islandian but maybe Wright's early 20th century Islandia transfers better to the 14th century than to the post-war 20th. Certainly I liked Saxton's "The Two Kingdoms" better than The Islar (4 vs 3 stars). An Islandian air force just doesn't set well. There's some gratuitous animal cruelty that could've been left out and some scenes are glossed over while others described in detail, seemingly arbitrarily. There's the obligate romantic angle but nothing like the knowing treatment Wright gives to relations between the sexes. We would've like to know what ever happened to Lang III's grandparents, to Dorn and Dorna, and to other characters from the Mother Book, but are never told. Saxton uses idioms and little witticisms from the era that gave an old guy like me a chuckle but would likely have a younger reader scratching her or his head. This makes The Islar a dated book whereas Islandia itself is timeless.

[Nancy Davison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Islandia has been on my top-10 list for decades, and Mark Saxton has captured the essence of the place and its people in the three novels, The Islar, The Two Kingdoms, and Havoc in Islandia. Still, before reading any of these, please read Islandia, one of the most thrilling experiences I've ever had in my very long reading career.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

***½ really. Sequel to Islandia by Austin Tappan Wright, one of my favorite books. This book was written by the editor of Islandia after the death of Wright. With the exception of a few odd passages, fairly well-done and enjoyable to read. Nowhere near as good as the original, though.

[gkbowood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I kept my copy for years, then finally donated it to the library along with the book that inspired The Islar: Islandia which was a fantastic book. I wish now I had never donated either one!