TOM'S A-COLD

by John Collier

John Collier needs no introduction to anyone familiar with his much-loved short story collection FANCIES AND GOODNIGHTS (for which he was awarded an Edgar in 1952), but few are aware that he wrote a dystopian novel of fierce intensity in 1933. TOM'S A-COLD imagines a world, an alternate reality, where World War I did not end in peace but raged on and on until civilization was completely destroyed. Amid the ruins of England small enclaves of semi-savage people struggle to survive and “re-start” the world. The story that unfolds holds the power of a Shakespearean tragedy played out in a post-apocalyptic world. This stunning piece of speculative fiction has not been available since it was first published in 1933. Fully illustrated by Culpeo S. Fox. This new publication of TOM'S A-COLD is truly a literary event.

Genres: Science Fiction

296 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1933

About the author

John Collier was a British-born author and screenplay writer best known for his short stories, many of which appeared in The New Yorker from the 1930s to the 1950s. They were collected in a 1951 volume, Fancies and Goodnights, which is still in print. Individual stories are frequently anthologized in fantasy collections. John Collier's writing has been praised by authors such as Anthony Burgess, Ray Bradbury, Neil Gaiman and Paul Theroux. He was married to early silent film actress Shirley Palmer.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

To call this a dystopian novel is a bit of stretch. Yes, it takes place in 1995 and England has devolved into kind of a barbaric feudal society but after the scene setting, the story is more about the ascension of the main character, Harry, to chief of the gang. Heck, even John Collier says in the introduction that he picked the setting into the future because readers would be able to identify with the characters more. He even says that the story has no sociological meaning whatsoever. So what follows is tale more in the Shakespearean vein (the title of the book is a pretty big hint).

Like a Shakespeare tragedy, expect to read about treachery, passion, betrayal and jealousy. There are few action packed battles. The book at times gets rather literary (to my tastes) and that caused parts to drag. The second half of the book is when things start to get going so a little patience in the beginning might make it worth it.