The Revolving Boy

by Gertrude Friedberg

Derv had always known that some day he would learn a frightening truth about himself. Now Derv knew the truth—and terror became delight. He was the only human being ever to have been born weightless in free flight. At last Derv felt wholly in tune with the outside influence which had turned and pulled him since birth—the Direction. It was this extraordinary talent that led to Project Ozma…

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

196 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

About the author

American playwright and writer.

Reviews

[Steve Bingner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for the first time when I was 10 years old and just finished it for the second time at Age 57. I finished it just after Midnight Christmas Day 2013. The book was new when I read it the first time in 1966. As I read it the second time, I had many memories about how I felt and what I remembered from the first read. I also had a better understanding of what confused me the first time. As I finished the book for the second time, I shared the excitement of the characters - especially the lead character and his wife as they both discovered that his life did have a meaning and purpose. The first half of the book occurs when the hero is 10 and the second half occurs when he is an adult. I truly discovered the book and rediscovered it, as if I were the hero in the story. The book gave me hope as a boy and helped me rediscover that my life has a purpose - as an adult. An amazing accomplishment for the Author. In addition, it was a wonderful Christmas present for someone who is continuing to search for the answer to the question - does my life have meaning?

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think the author has written any other SF or perhaps much of anything at all, given the construction and development here. It seems a bit awkward to me, and only parts of it will stick in my memory.

Mostly what is sticking atm is the lack of development of the character of the girl Prin, and Hailtree's habit of giggling which made it feel like he was a psychopath, or at least a troublemaker, and though it turned out he's neither, I still feel like there's something wrong with how he communicated with the young Derv.

Still, I can see why some youngsters have liked it, and to them I advise, go ahead and reread it as an adult; you'll still enjoy it. To those coming at it for the first time, don't bother. There is no What If, no Sense of Wonder, nothing rich or resonant.

There are a few interesting takes on predicting the future. In re' paparazzi for the teevy, "the Twenty-Eighth Amendment established freedom from the press." Disposable clothing. No mobile phones.

2.5 stars rounded up because back when I was wearing out a copy of The Forgotten Door this might have given me an option, that is to say, I would have enjoyed it a few times.

[Lauren Stoolfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's always interesting reading a past future sci-fi book just to see a glimpse of the future from the time the book was written but that time has already gone by by the time you're reading it.

[Jenny Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

I need to find this book! I originally bought this book while on a camping trip with my parents back in the 80's at a used book store. I loved it and was mortified to find that the copy I had purchased was missing the last chapter. What I read I loved and couldn't put down. It was such a unique concept and a good story.

[Shira and Ari Evergreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun, quick, fanciful read. The main character and the plot are twined together in a fun way that involves some suspense and surprises, so I won't give anything away. If you like the idea of human evolution, and the idea of listening to space, you may enjoy this little novel.

[Richard Derus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the unimaginably different, advanced, supercool world of 2002, this YA novel pretty much did nothing for me. Awkward and stilted, bizarrely pessimistic yet so deeply sure of Humanity's ability to do better and better, the tone was problem one. Problem two was the exceptionalism...one person saves us from ourselves!...that I find so deeply troubling and destructive in superhero stuff. Religion and its "saviors" ring the same alarm bells in my head.

I gave it an extra half-star because the thing trapping us on the planet was of our own making, and while it's not radiation, we are in fact about to suffer that fate.

[Brown Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

An all but forgotten gem of a ya story about being incurably different. It is dated, but can be enjoyed by a contemporary reader. I loved the specificity of the story, the domestic prognostication, the cheery tone, and the use of Green Bank and alternate SETI... actually, this works as a gentle bit of counterfactual.

Definitely worth tracking down a rare, rare, rare copy.

[Temucano · Rating 2 out of 5]

La historia de un peculiar muchacho, cuya infancia cautiva, pero una vez crece se desinfla gran parte de este atractivo. Extraña prosa la de Gertrude, da la impresión que pudo haber sido mucho mejor, y algo de culpa tiene la edición, ya que con varios errores flagrantes se hace difícil disfrutar su lectura.

[Aja · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting 1966 take on 2002. I realize this was not the plot of the book, but extremely entertaining. Men and women are of course “equal”, but women scientists still have the nasty habits of swooning, fainting, and not being full in control of their emotions - seems a bit problematic.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was kind of a trip, but very good.

My dad recommended it because one of my OCD compulsions used to be spinning around, sometimes to "unwind" turns.

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5★

[B. Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A unique short novel about a human being born with a most extraordinary ability. While the core concept is very original and has yet to be copied to my knowledge, the real standout feature is the acute predictions Friedberg makes about "the future". Published in 1966, she predicts artificial beaches by 1970 and home hologram systems by 2001. While she may overestimate the arrival of hover cars, she still has a very accurate reading on the direction of technology in general, predicting that we would 'flash' each other with mobile communication devices, and her description of a split-screen video teleconference eerily predict current tech just short of the brand names Apple and Skype. It makes you think about the further extrapolations Friedberg makes in the plot and just how likely most of her predictions may be (given a longer and more flexible time span, granted.) This is a great book to track down for fans of rare but refined science-fiction, as well as young adult readers interested in fiction beyond the popular trends.

[Jose Brox · Rating 3 out of 5]

El libro es bastante tierno y lo recordaremos con afecto. Algunos párrafos son incomprensibles (tal vez debido al traductor) y algunos giros del guion no se sustentan demasiado (la tensión principal de la novela desaparecería si a los personajes se les ocurriera ir a buscar los artículos publicados en la literatura científica). Aún así merece la pena leerla (pues es muy corta).

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

it's like a long short-story. I don't feel like I loved it as much as there's a sweetness to it. I like books that feel very small sometimes.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great storytelling.
My favorite science fiction. Though it almost doesn't qualify as science fiction. Great plot.

[Erik Carl son · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it because it is one of Harlan Ellison's favorites. A great tale that hasn't been replicated since.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

this story is one of my favorites..i's just a short story but it has a unique concept and plot..^^

[Margareth8537 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining read and very different thesis from most SF I've read

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting ending in this story of first contact.

[Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm pretty sure this book is for kids, but I loved it