From the Bookshelf of Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy…

Downward to the Earth

Robert Silverberg,

Gene Szafran (Illustrator)

Start date: October 1, 2014

Finish date: October 31, 2014

Discussion leader: Mike Wilson

Why we're reading this: October 2014 Group Classic Novel Discussion
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Sep 21, 2014 Stephen rated it really liked it

First published in 1969 "Downward to the Earth" is both a book of the period and classic Silverberg. Classic Silverberg in the sense that so much of the book is about Gunderson's psyche. This Silverberg illustrates, explores and dissects well as he did in "Dying Inside" and in some of his short fiction. Silverberg is one of the best in sci fi at getting into a character's head.

Of the period because in the end drugs and/or religion open the doors to enlightenment and the resolution of the psychic First published in 1969 "Downward to the Earth" is both a book of the period and classic Silverberg. Classic Silverberg in the sense that so much of the book is about Gunderson's psyche. This Silverberg illustrates, explores and dissects well as he did in "Dying Inside" and in some of his short fiction. Silverberg is one of the best in sci fi at getting into a character's head.

Of the period because in the end drugs and/or religion open the doors to enlightenment and the resolution of the psychic conundrum. Think "Dune", "Stranger in a Strange Land" and you get the idea.

Silverberg creates a sense of uncertainty early and maintains the tone well. As Gunderson returns to Belzagor we know that there is more here that meets the eye and the unease of what the "more" is is well managed through the story. However, for this technique to be successful the reader must be able to draw his or her own conclusions or multiple possible conclusions before the author brings the book to its climax. Like a good mystery, the reader needs enough clues to be kept guessing about who did it and should see the conclusion as one of several possible outcomes. One can say one saw it coming in "Downward to the Earth", but the answer when revealed seems too simplistic.

There are as well a number of ideas advanced that do not seem to go anywhere, as if Silverberg thought they were relevant and could have wound them into the story, but ran out of pages. When Gunderson meets Seena we are told that she looks younger than her years and that she now loves the plateau. One wishes for more insight. Similarly with spectacle of the nildoror that Cullen saw makes little sense given what we know of nildoror character and explanation given is weak. Moreover, given what is revealed at the conclusion, why would the sulidoror not return Cullen to the nildoror?

One of the most riveting scenes is that of Dykstra and Mazor at the old station. Harrowing and graphic, although in the post-"Aliens" era seemingly well-worn, I expect the scene to remain burned in memory for a long while. And yet, having occupied this planet for a long while, why would humans be unaware of this creature and its modus operendi?

The comparison has been made before with Conrad's "The Heart of Darkness" and this is not possible to deny. Conrad worked the idea better, but Silverberg gives a fine effort in a sci fi context. Probably not 4 stars, but more like 3.5. Enjoy. ...more

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