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غروب شیاطین
در کتاب غروب شیاطین اثر جان کریستوفر می خوانیم:
آن ها از میان آن حفره ها بیرون آمدند و آن قدر بزرگ شدند که سرتاسر آسمان را پوشاندند. اشکل در هم و برهمی را دیدم که پیچ و تاب می خوردند. بال دار، پولک دار و لزج. با صورت هایی گندیده، چرک و لجن آلود و دست های مهیب و زشتی که به بیرون دراز می شدند…
آن ها از میان آن حفره ها بیرون آمدند و آن قدر بزرگ شدند که سرتاسر آسمان را پوشاندند. اشکل در هم و برهمی را دیدم که پیچ و تاب می خوردند. بال دار، پولک دار و لزج. با صورت هایی گندیده، چرک و لجن آلود و دست های مهیب و زشتی که به بیرون دراز می شدند…
181 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
3 people are currently reading
95 people want to read
About the author
John Christopher
194 books541 followersSamuel Youd was born in Huyton, Lancashire in April 1922, during an unseasonable snowstorm.
As a boy, he was devoted to the newly emergent genre of science-fiction: ‘In the early thirties,’ he later wrote, ‘we knew just enough about the solar system for its possibilities to be a magnet to the imagination.’
Over the following decades, his imagination flowed from science-fiction into general novels, cricket novels, medical novels, gothic romances, detective thrillers, light comedies … In all he published fifty-six novels and a myriad of short stories, under his own name as well as eight different pen-names.
He is perhaps best known as John Christopher, author of the seminal work of speculative fiction, The Death of Grass (today available as a Penguin Classic), and a stream of novels in the genre he pioneered, young adult dystopian fiction, beginning with The Tripods Trilogy.
‘I read somewhere,’ Sam once said, ‘that I have been cited as the greatest serial killer in fictional history, having destroyed civilisation in so many different ways – through famine, freezing, earthquakes, feral youth combined with religious fanaticism, and progeria.’
In an interview towards the end of his life, conversation turned to a recent spate of novels set on Mars and a possible setting for a John Christopher story: strand a group of people in a remote Martian enclave and see what happens.
The Mars aspect, he felt, was irrelevant. ‘What happens between the people,’ he said, ‘that’s the thing I’m interested in.’
As a boy, he was devoted to the newly emergent genre of science-fiction: ‘In the early thirties,’ he later wrote, ‘we knew just enough about the solar system for its possibilities to be a magnet to the imagination.’
Over the following decades, his imagination flowed from science-fiction into general novels, cricket novels, medical novels, gothic romances, detective thrillers, light comedies … In all he published fifty-six novels and a myriad of short stories, under his own name as well as eight different pen-names.
He is perhaps best known as John Christopher, author of the seminal work of speculative fiction, The Death of Grass (today available as a Penguin Classic), and a stream of novels in the genre he pioneered, young adult dystopian fiction, beginning with The Tripods Trilogy.
‘I read somewhere,’ Sam once said, ‘that I have been cited as the greatest serial killer in fictional history, having destroyed civilisation in so many different ways – through famine, freezing, earthquakes, feral youth combined with religious fanaticism, and progeria.’
In an interview towards the end of his life, conversation turned to a recent spate of novels set on Mars and a possible setting for a John Christopher story: strand a group of people in a remote Martian enclave and see what happens.
The Mars aspect, he felt, was irrelevant. ‘What happens between the people,’ he said, ‘that’s the thing I’m interested in.’
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 19, 2018
کتاب «غروب شیاطین» نوشتهی «جان کریستوفر» و ترجمهی «سیدمهیار فروتنفر» است. در قسمتی از کتاب میخوانیم: «با تابش خورشید صبحگاهی از خواب بیدار شدم. این مسئله خود به خود غیرعادی نبود زیرا پنجرهی اتاقم رو به شرق بازمیشد ولی احساس میکردم مشکلی وجود دارد. شب قبل نور ماه کامل چشمانم را میآزرد و من برخاسته و پرده اتاقم را کشیده بودم ولی حالا پردهها باز بود و در همین وقت کابوسم را به خاطر آوردم، پیشترها هم کابوس میدیدم در کودکی. میتوانستم خاطراتی مبهم از دود و آتش و وحشت به یاد بیاورم.» این کتاب را نشر «چشمه» منتشر کرده است.
March 6, 2016
این داستان اگرچه به خوبی سایر آثار جان کریستوفر نبود اما حاوی نکته ی بسیار مهمی بود و آن بیان این نظر است که خدایان آفریده ی ذهن انسانها و راهی برای قشر خاصی به منظور بهره برداری از ترس و شاید حماقت جامعه باشد. این کتاب از جمله کتابهایی ست که نوجوانان در سنین پایین قبل از شکل دهی به جهان بینی خود، باید بخوانند.
August 5, 2008
از نوشته های متاخر جان کریستوفر است وبه نظر من ابداً کشش و تازگی سه گانه ی سه پایه ها را ندارد.هرچند درون مایه ی کتاب جالبو متفاوت است: خدای دروغین و مخوف ساخته ی دست خود انسان ها.0
April 19, 2013
DARK BLEND OF GOTHIC HORROR AND SATANSIM
Once again John Christopher (THE WHITE MOUNAIANS trilogy) transports us into the future where civilization has disintegrated- probably our own fault....The hero is a 14-year-old boy named Ben who witnesses the terrifying destruction of his home. Worse still, he gradually learns more about his origins origins, but is determined to reunite his foster family. Yet another hero who embarks on a personal odyssey for truth, knowledge and spiritual coming-of-age.
This book promises an exciting trilogy if the author continues his three-in-one trend. Not just action, but self-discovery; just how much power should the son of THE MASTER wield? What caused the Madness which destroyed the old civilization? Why is there such suspicion and prejudice against the Sea People, Gypsies and Landsmen? Who is this evil, mysterious Dark One universally feared? Why do his agents, the Summoners, hold such Puritannical, religious powers? Can a teenage youth challenge the beliefs of his elders in his quest for Truth?
(April 25, 2020. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
Once again John Christopher (THE WHITE MOUNAIANS trilogy) transports us into the future where civilization has disintegrated- probably our own fault....The hero is a 14-year-old boy named Ben who witnesses the terrifying destruction of his home. Worse still, he gradually learns more about his origins origins, but is determined to reunite his foster family. Yet another hero who embarks on a personal odyssey for truth, knowledge and spiritual coming-of-age.
This book promises an exciting trilogy if the author continues his three-in-one trend. Not just action, but self-discovery; just how much power should the son of THE MASTER wield? What caused the Madness which destroyed the old civilization? Why is there such suspicion and prejudice against the Sea People, Gypsies and Landsmen? Who is this evil, mysterious Dark One universally feared? Why do his agents, the Summoners, hold such Puritannical, religious powers? Can a teenage youth challenge the beliefs of his elders in his quest for Truth?
(April 25, 2020. I welcome dialogue with teachers.)
October 14, 2019
With a more developed ending I'd have give this novel 4 stars because it's a nice addition to the dystopian fiction genre. Basically this is a world post our world, reverted to a time 0f superstition about demons and prohibitions about using machines. There are glimpses everywhere of a great civilisation's machines and buildings, now in ruins, which are forbidden to the people of the Isles. One boy, Ben, leaves his home and travels across the sea to the mainland and along his journey learns the truth about his history.
The ending is far too rushed to be really enjoyable, more exposition by one new character in one conversation, but other than that I'd recommend this author and this short novel. Nice read.
The ending is far too rushed to be really enjoyable, more exposition by one new character in one conversation, but other than that I'd recommend this author and this short novel. Nice read.
July 20, 2015
Ben lives peacefully on Old Isle, with the Master and Mother Ryan and her daughters. Life is dangerous on the other islands, with demon attacks wreaking unexpected havoc at any time. When the Master dies suddenly, Ben's role in society changes drastically, since he is not who he thought he was. His safe home is no more, and for some reason those in power are very interested in keeping him close. This dystopian adventure story for middle grade readers is well-written and interesting, though more sophisticated readers may guess the real source of the demon attacks and may also be disappointed with the rather abrupt ending. I liked this book more than the Tripods series. 6th grade and up.
May 26, 2021
If you read too much of John Christopher's work they start to blend together, and unfortunately for me I read nearly half a dozen of his books back-to-back, and so the details are fuzzy on this one for me. But I will unequivocally say that Christopher has some real themes going on, mostly young (white) boys who come into their own power on quests for self-actualization/realization, set against the backdrop of a post-apocalyptic world with limited technology. Supernatural elements pervade most of his work, and this one is no exception. Not quite as good as his Prince in Waiting trilogy, which I think might be his best example of this type of book, but still solid.
May 26, 2018
Ben is a fourteen-year-old boy living a simple life on Old Isle, where the Master rules. Ben lives a carefree life with Mother Ryan and her two daughters, Antonia and Paddy, until the Master dies and leaves Ben a substantial inheritance. Not long after, the Master's house is burned to the ground. People whisper among themselves that it was the work of demons, as they believe that the demons are displeased with the Master. The Sheriff takes Ben into custody until the matter is resolved, sending Paddy's family away. Paddy warns Ben that the villagers are planning to harm him and they flee with the help of a fisherman named Joe. After journeying to the Mainland, they are reunited with Mother Ryan and Antonia in the villa of the General. The Sheriff soon arrives, apologizes, and contests with the General for the care of Ben.
Meanwhile, Antonia's relationship with the Governor's son, Ralph, causes her to be exiled. She and her family are to be sent to Ireland, while Ben is to stay and receive his inheritance. Paddy, however, comes back for Ben and they escape together once more. They travel with gypsies for a time and are shocked to learn that these travelers do not fear demons or the will of the "Dark One". They part with the gypsies and continue to try and catch up with Mother Ryan but are taken captive by an enemy general who sacrifices criminals to the demons. Paddy is sentenced but Ben saves her by shooting the demons' "nest". They are pursued until a fire bursts, which renders them unconscious. Ben wakes up on an airplane where his rescuer tells him that the demons were fabricated by a secretive group in an attempt to keep people from becoming violent.
The Master had been a member of this group but was exiled for speaking out against the terror caused by the pretended demons. After his death, a revolution was organized for helping people recover from the chaos and become educated. Ben, as the Master's son, is expected to help
Meanwhile, Antonia's relationship with the Governor's son, Ralph, causes her to be exiled. She and her family are to be sent to Ireland, while Ben is to stay and receive his inheritance. Paddy, however, comes back for Ben and they escape together once more. They travel with gypsies for a time and are shocked to learn that these travelers do not fear demons or the will of the "Dark One". They part with the gypsies and continue to try and catch up with Mother Ryan but are taken captive by an enemy general who sacrifices criminals to the demons. Paddy is sentenced but Ben saves her by shooting the demons' "nest". They are pursued until a fire bursts, which renders them unconscious. Ben wakes up on an airplane where his rescuer tells him that the demons were fabricated by a secretive group in an attempt to keep people from becoming violent.
The Master had been a member of this group but was exiled for speaking out against the terror caused by the pretended demons. After his death, a revolution was organized for helping people recover from the chaos and become educated. Ben, as the Master's son, is expected to help
October 8, 2022
3.5 stars, Metaphorosis Reviews
Summary
Ben knows about Demons, but only as a distant, maybe mythic threat. But then the Master dies, leaving Ben with an unexpected inheritance, until the Demons turn up to destroy it, leaving Ben homeless and on the run.
Review
John Christopher had a confirmed knack for the perfect YA SFF novel – young folks (usually boys) thrust into adversity but overcoming it through wit, ability, and, most often, sheer grit. It rightfully brought him fame. Despite a reasonably formulaic approach, his books are enjoyable, and often classics of the genre. Not all of them worked as well, however.
A Dusk of Demons, though first published in 1993, well before Christopher’s death, but well after his most successful books, feels underdeveloped. While it follows Christopher’s formula of a young man in a post-apocalyptic world, it never really develops the world beyond broad outlines. The protagonist is as engaging as most Christopher heroes, meets some interesting characters, and solves some interesting mysteries, but then … the book ends. It feels very much as if Christopher was setting up a trilogy (as he often did), but then either ran out of steam or couldn’t find a buyer. It’s a shame; while not one of his best books, as a series opener I felt this had good promise. As a standalone, it feels like a story somewhat abandoned. Good for Christopher completionists and committed fans, and a pleasant read, but not otherwise essential.
Summary
Ben knows about Demons, but only as a distant, maybe mythic threat. But then the Master dies, leaving Ben with an unexpected inheritance, until the Demons turn up to destroy it, leaving Ben homeless and on the run.
Review
John Christopher had a confirmed knack for the perfect YA SFF novel – young folks (usually boys) thrust into adversity but overcoming it through wit, ability, and, most often, sheer grit. It rightfully brought him fame. Despite a reasonably formulaic approach, his books are enjoyable, and often classics of the genre. Not all of them worked as well, however.
A Dusk of Demons, though first published in 1993, well before Christopher’s death, but well after his most successful books, feels underdeveloped. While it follows Christopher’s formula of a young man in a post-apocalyptic world, it never really develops the world beyond broad outlines. The protagonist is as engaging as most Christopher heroes, meets some interesting characters, and solves some interesting mysteries, but then … the book ends. It feels very much as if Christopher was setting up a trilogy (as he often did), but then either ran out of steam or couldn’t find a buyer. It’s a shame; while not one of his best books, as a series opener I felt this had good promise. As a standalone, it feels like a story somewhat abandoned. Good for Christopher completionists and committed fans, and a pleasant read, but not otherwise essential.
September 20, 2007
this book is translated by my ever dearest friend seyed mahyar forotanfar and edited by me! published in 2006 CHESHME publication in iran.I dedicate it to john christopher`s fans..
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews