The Jewels of Aptor

No cover — Samuel R. Delany: The Jewels of Aptor (Paperback, 1971, Sphere Books Ltd.)

Paperback, 160 pages

Published Dec. 30, 1971 by Sphere Books Ltd..

ISBN:: 978-0-7221-2889-3
OCLC Number:: 16190262

(1 review)

Delany's first novel, written when he was about 19. The story follows a small group through a post-nuclear war future setting, on a quest to rescue a priestess of the goddess Argo from the land of the dark god Hama. If you're going to start reading his science fiction novels, this would be a good start - or read it after reading several of his later ones and gain an interesting perspective on his evolution as an author. For a book written in 1962 by a nineteen-year-old, it is imaginative and extraordinary. Even reading it now and seeing the marks of youth in the author's style, it's a fun story, and you can also notice the gift for description that make Delany's works so vivid.

4 editions

Thom reviewed The Jewels of Aptor by Samuel R. Delany

Review of 'The Jewels of Aptor' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

After the characters are introduced, the chapters feel very episodic - mostly self contained, but adding a little more information to the world. The last two chapters shatter this in a finale that brings all the knowledge together. With a few caveats, this would make a good sci-fi TV series.

Those caveats? This is post apocalyptic (atomic "big fire" war 1500 years previous) and some civilization has recovered. A certain elite group has some electronics - left over? Not well described. Without spoilers, I can say that the final reveal rubs me the wrong way.

This is Samuel R. Delaney's first novel. Geo (the poet) is likely his alter-ego here, and it is through his experience that much of the novel takes place. 3 1/3 stars (closer to "liked" than "really liked").