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| '''''Peregrine: Primus''''' is a ] novel by American writer ], the first volume in his uncompleted Peregrine trilogy. It was first published in hardcover by ] in 1971, with a paperback edition following from ] in October 1977. The first ebook edition, which was also the first British edition, was issued by Gateway/Orion in June |
'''''Peregrine: Primus''''' is a ] novel by American writer ], the first volume in his uncompleted Peregrine trilogy. It was first published in hardcover by ] in 1971, with a paperback edition following from ] in October 1977. The first ebook edition, which was also the first British edition, was issued by Gateway/Orion in June 2013. An audio edition was issued by Or All the Seas with Oysters Publishing in February 2022.<ref name="ISFDB">{{isfdb title|id=1402}}</ref> | ||
| ==Plot== | ==Plot== | ||
| In a fantastic, imaginary version of Eastern Europe during the decline of the ] in the sixth century, Peregrine, an illegitimate son of the king of Sapodilla, is sent into exile--his country's traditional way of helping clear the way for the succession of the legitimate heir. Accompanying him on his quest to seek his fortune is the eccentric sorcerer Appledore and the squire Claud, who conceals a keen intelligence under a pose of feeblemindedness. The three encounter the myriad perils of the era, particularly the many belligerently feuding primitive Christian sects, the roving imperial armies, surprisingly prurient vestal |
In a fantastic, imaginary version of Eastern Europe during the decline of the ] in the sixth century, Peregrine, an illegitimate son of the king of Sapodilla, is sent into exile--his country's traditional way of helping clear the way for the succession of the legitimate heir. Accompanying him on his quest to seek his fortune is the eccentric sorcerer Appledore and the squire Claud, who conceals a keen intelligence under a pose of feeblemindedness. The three encounter the myriad perils of the era, particularly the many belligerently feuding primitive Christian sects, the roving imperial armies, surprisingly prurient ]s, and wandering ] hordes, including what one critic calls "the jolliest ] to ever pillage the countryside."<ref name="PW">Walker, Paul. "Avram's Aviary," review in ''Galaxy'' v. 39, no. 6, June 1978, pp. 148-150.</ref>. The novel ends in a cliffhanger as Peregrine is transformed into a ] to save him from one of the religious sects. | ||
| ==Reception== | ==Reception== | ||
| Paul Walker, writing in '']'', confesses himself intimidated by Davidson's erudition, and use of exotic vocabulary, noting "one's first reaction to a Davidson novel is to say, 'I've never read anything like this before.' Nothing could be more disconcerting to a critic, to whom comparisons are essential to making judgments, than to read a book whose originality, like a force of nature, precludes comparison and compels one to accept it one its own terms. ... Davidson's originality frolics and flaunts itself on every page maddeningly, taking an almost cosmic pleasure in itself." He observes that the author's "wit is broader here than in '']'', with "shenanigans approachi slapstick farce," though he "keeps his tongue firmily in check and cheek." Walker mourns that "the tragic thing about both of these books is that they were originally written as the first parts of trilogies, but ... the remaining books were not commissioned." He concludes that "f you love Wodehouse, and Charlie Chaplin, you will probably get a kick out of ''Peregrine: Primues''. If not, you won't." |
Paul Walker, writing in '']'', confesses himself intimidated by Davidson's erudition, and use of exotic vocabulary, noting "one's first reaction to a Davidson novel is to say, 'I've never read anything like this before.' Nothing could be more disconcerting to a critic, to whom comparisons are essential to making judgments, than to read a book whose originality, like a force of nature, precludes comparison and compels one to accept it one its own terms. ... Davidson's originality frolics and flaunts itself on every page maddeningly, taking an almost cosmic pleasure in itself." He observes that the author's "wit is broader here than in '']'', with "shenanigans approachi slapstick farce," though he "keeps his tongue firmily in check and cheek." Walker mourns that "the tragic thing about both of these books is that they were originally written as the first parts of trilogies, but ... the remaining books were not commissioned." He concludes that "f you love Wodehouse, and Charlie Chaplin, you will probably get a kick out of ''Peregrine: Primues''. If not, you won't."<ref name="PW"/> | ||
| ], discussing the Peregrine novels in ''Salem Press Encyclopedia of Literary'', decries the incomplete status of the series and the "number of loose ends in the plot never quite tied off."<ref name="TS">Shippey, T. A. "Peregrine: Primus and Peregrine: Secundus," in ''Salem Press Encyclopedia of Literature'', 2019.</ref> | |||
| The book was also reviewed by ] in '']'' #104, January 14, 1972, ] in '']'', July 1972, and ] in ''The Alien Critic'', November 1974.<ref name="ISFDB"/> | The book was also reviewed by ] in '']'' #104, January 14, 1972, ] in '']'', July 1972, and ] in ''The Alien Critic'', November 1974.<ref name="ISFDB"/> | ||
Latest revision as of 20:36, 20 December 2024
1971 novel by Avram Davidson Cover of first edition | |
| Author | Avram Davidson |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Lena Fong Hor |
| Language | English |
| Series | Peregrine |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Walker & Co. |
| Publication date | 1971 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 174 |
| ISBN | 0-8027-5546-1 |
| OCLC | 219765 |
| Followed by | Peregrine: Secundus |
Peregrine: Primus is a fantasy novel by American writer Avram Davidson, the first volume in his uncompleted Peregrine trilogy. It was first published in hardcover by Walker & Co. in 1971, with a paperback edition following from Ace Books in October 1977. The first ebook edition, which was also the first British edition, was issued by Gateway/Orion in June 2013. An audio edition was issued by Or All the Seas with Oysters Publishing in February 2022.
Plot
In a fantastic, imaginary version of Eastern Europe during the decline of the Roman Empire in the sixth century, Peregrine, an illegitimate son of the king of Sapodilla, is sent into exile--his country's traditional way of helping clear the way for the succession of the legitimate heir. Accompanying him on his quest to seek his fortune is the eccentric sorcerer Appledore and the squire Claud, who conceals a keen intelligence under a pose of feeblemindedness. The three encounter the myriad perils of the era, particularly the many belligerently feuding primitive Christian sects, the roving imperial armies, surprisingly prurient vestal virgins, and wandering barbarian hordes, including what one critic calls "the jolliest Hun to ever pillage the countryside.". The novel ends in a cliffhanger as Peregrine is transformed into a peregrine falcon to save him from one of the religious sects.
Reception
Paul Walker, writing in Galaxy, confesses himself intimidated by Davidson's erudition, and use of exotic vocabulary, noting "one's first reaction to a Davidson novel is to say, 'I've never read anything like this before.' Nothing could be more disconcerting to a critic, to whom comparisons are essential to making judgments, than to read a book whose originality, like a force of nature, precludes comparison and compels one to accept it one its own terms. ... Davidson's originality frolics and flaunts itself on every page maddeningly, taking an almost cosmic pleasure in itself." He observes that the author's "wit is broader here than in The Phoenix and the Mirror, with "shenanigans approachi slapstick farce," though he "keeps his tongue firmily in check and cheek." Walker mourns that "the tragic thing about both of these books is that they were originally written as the first parts of trilogies, but ... the remaining books were not commissioned." He concludes that "f you love Wodehouse, and Charlie Chaplin, you will probably get a kick out of Peregrine: Primues. If not, you won't."
T. A. Shippey, discussing the Peregrine novels in Salem Press Encyclopedia of Literary, decries the incomplete status of the series and the "number of loose ends in the plot never quite tied off."
The book was also reviewed by Charlie Brown in Locus #104, January 14, 1972, James Blish in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, July 1972, and John Boardman in The Alien Critic, November 1974.
Notes
- ^ Peregrine: Primus title listing at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database
- ^ Walker, Paul. "Avram's Aviary," review in Galaxy v. 39, no. 6, June 1978, pp. 148-150.
- Shippey, T. A. "Peregrine: Primus and Peregrine: Secundus," in Salem Press Encyclopedia of Literature, 2019.
| Works by Avram Davidson | |
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| Vergil Magus |
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| Peregrine |
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| Other novels |
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| Collections |
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