Book Review: Deathworld

Book Review: 'Deathworld' by Harry Harrison

5 / 5 Stars

'Deathworld' first was published as a serial in Astounding Science Fiction in 1960, with a paperback compilation issued by Bantam later that year. This particular Bantam paperback edition (154 pp.) was published by Bantam in 1969, and features cover art by Jim Sharpe.

'Deathworld' was well received, so much so that Harrison went on to write two more volumes starring the lead character, Jason dinAlt. 'Deathworld 2' was published in 1964, and 'Deathworld 3', in 1968. There are softcover and hardcover omnibus editions of the 'Deathworld' trilogy available from publishers such as Orbit and Gollancz.

As 'Deathworld' opens, dinAlt - who is gifted with psi powers, including telekinesis -  is preparing for some recreational gambling at a casino on the planet Cassylia when he is approached by a squat, powerful man named Kerk Pyrrus. Kerk wants to bankroll dinAlt's gambling, to the tune of 27 million credits. With the proviso that the first 3 billion credits won by dinAlt will go into Kerk's pocket.

dinAlt initially objects to the proposal, but the lure of playing for high stakes makes him change his mind. As well, dinAlt is intrigued by Kerk and the planet he originates from: Pyrrus, an obscure world that does not readily welcome outsiders.

In due course, Jason dinAlt decides to travel to Pyrrus, where he discovers that the planet is a 'deathworld'. Not only is the weather treacherous and unpredictable, with hailstorms one moment and sweltering temperatures the next, but every living thing on the planet is unrelenting hostile to the human settlers, who struggle to maintain the walled city that serves as their final redoubt. Something as simple as a brief walk out of doors exposes one to an assault by plants, insects, and mammals, all with one goal in mind: the death of Homo sapiens. 

Recovering from his initial horror and amazement over the brutal reality of life on Pyrrus, dinAlt sets his mind to work on the mystery underlying the vicious contest between the native flora and fauna and the stolid, but unimaginative, Pyrrans. Was the planet always a deathworld ? And what is the story behind the 'grubbers', the detested outcasts who live in the wild lands far beyond the protection of the city walls ? 

Jason dinAlt is intent on finding the answers to these questions, but he needs to hurry. For the attacks on the city are growing more intense, and soon, even the indomitable Pyrrans will find themselves losing a battle they can't win.........

 

Perhaps because he began his career as a writer for comic books, Harrison doesn't provide much verbiage in the pages of 'Deathworld'. His prose style is crisp and devoid of affectation, save for brief segments of dialogue in which dinAlt tries to apprise the Pyrrans of philosophies that are markedly different from their 'shoot first, ask questions later' stance. The novel features the well-composed and well-written action scenes that were to become a major component of Harrison work. The only area in which I found 'Deathworld' to falter was in the Big Revelation that appears in the closing pages; it seemed a bit too glib, but then, by the standards of the denouements of early 1960s sci-fi novels, it is rather more imaginative than most.

Summing up, more than 60 years after its first publication, 'Deathworld' stands the test of time as an engaging and highly readable action-adventure novel, and one of the better sci-fi works of its era.