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The Year When Stardust Fell
Mayfield was the typical college town. Nothing too unusual ever happened there until a mysterious comet was suddenly observed by the scientists on College Hill.
And then one day the modified engine on Ken Maddox's car began overheating mysteriously. By morning it didn't run at all.
Art's Garage, local headquarters for hot-rodders, was soon so full of cars that wouldn't run, that Ken's science club began working in the garage after school. It didn't take long for the club to discover that all the moving parts on these stalled cars had fused together. Soon all machinery had stopped in Mayfield. There was no longer any light or power anywhere. This mysterious creeping paralysis was spreading.
The copper-yellow glow of the comet seemed to have brought the whole world to a grinding halt. Airplanes, trains, generators and heavy machinery were immobilized. Finally man was left with only a few primitive tools and communication became possible only by means of amateur radio. In the resulting chaos parts of Mayfield were burned and looted by hunger-crazed mobs that stole and killed as they advanced.
Here is science fiction at its thrilling best. A startling and thought-provoking book that shows how human nature might react to catastrophe.
THE YEAR WHEN STARDUST FELL is a juvenile science fiction novel, published first in 1958, by Raymond F. Jones (author of THIS ISLAND EARTH) with cover illustration by James Heugh and endpaper illustration by Alex Schomburg. It was one of the books in the Winston Science Fiction series.
And then one day the modified engine on Ken Maddox's car began overheating mysteriously. By morning it didn't run at all.
Art's Garage, local headquarters for hot-rodders, was soon so full of cars that wouldn't run, that Ken's science club began working in the garage after school. It didn't take long for the club to discover that all the moving parts on these stalled cars had fused together. Soon all machinery had stopped in Mayfield. There was no longer any light or power anywhere. This mysterious creeping paralysis was spreading.
The copper-yellow glow of the comet seemed to have brought the whole world to a grinding halt. Airplanes, trains, generators and heavy machinery were immobilized. Finally man was left with only a few primitive tools and communication became possible only by means of amateur radio. In the resulting chaos parts of Mayfield were burned and looted by hunger-crazed mobs that stole and killed as they advanced.
Here is science fiction at its thrilling best. A startling and thought-provoking book that shows how human nature might react to catastrophe.
THE YEAR WHEN STARDUST FELL is a juvenile science fiction novel, published first in 1958, by Raymond F. Jones (author of THIS ISLAND EARTH) with cover illustration by James Heugh and endpaper illustration by Alex Schomburg. It was one of the books in the Winston Science Fiction series.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1958
18 people are currently reading
242 people want to read
About the author
Raymond F. Jones
190 books13 followersRaymond Fisher Jones (November 15, 1915, Salt Lake City, Utah - January 24, 1994, Sandy, Salt Lake County, Utah) was an American science fiction author. He is best known for his 1952 novel, This Island Earth, which was adapted into the 1955 film This Island Earth and for the short story "The Children's Room", which was adapted for television as Episode Two of the ABC network show Tales of Tomorrow, first aired on February 29, 1952.
Jones' career was at its peak during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. His stories were published mainly in magazines such as Thrilling Wonder Stories, Astounding Stories, and Galaxy. His short story Noise Level is known as one of his best works. His short story "The Alien Machine", first published in the June, 1949 Thrilling Wonder Stories, was later expanded into the novel This Island Earth, along with two other short stories, "The Shroud of Secrecy", and "The Greater Conflict", known as The Peace Engineers Trilogy, featuring the character Cal Meacham. Jones also wrote the story upon which the episode "The Children's Room" was based for the television program Tales of Tomorrow in 1952.
Jones' career was at its peak during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. His stories were published mainly in magazines such as Thrilling Wonder Stories, Astounding Stories, and Galaxy. His short story Noise Level is known as one of his best works. His short story "The Alien Machine", first published in the June, 1949 Thrilling Wonder Stories, was later expanded into the novel This Island Earth, along with two other short stories, "The Shroud of Secrecy", and "The Greater Conflict", known as The Peace Engineers Trilogy, featuring the character Cal Meacham. Jones also wrote the story upon which the episode "The Children's Room" was based for the television program Tales of Tomorrow in 1952.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 10, 2017
There was an 'About The Author' at the end of this 1958 book, and here is the perfect blurb from Raymond Jones himself:
"It is the portrayal of the unending conflict between ignorance and superstition on one hand, and knowledge and cultural enlightenment on the other as they come into conflict with each other during an unprecedented disaster brought on by the forces of nature."
So what more should I say? Well.....
Sometimes science fiction stories from 'way back when' make me laugh at the weird theories or cringe at the outdated thought processes of the characters. This one was not one of those. It was cliche in some ways ~~ how many high school seniors these days have not only built themselves a telescope but can tinker on their own cars and win marksmanship trophies in a shooting competition and operate a ham radio? Not to mention always seeming to be able to see the solution to problems when the 'grown-ups' get stymied!
But in most other ways it hit close to home, and hit hard. Our world is changing dramatically for various reasons, both natural and man-made. To read about the breaking down of the society in Ken Maddux's world felt like reading a scene from our own future. Again I will let Mr. Jones speak for his book, this time from an introduction before it all begins:
"The story of The Year When Stardust Fell is not a story of the distant future or of the remote past. It is not a story of a never-never land where fantastic happenings take place daily. It is a story of my town and yours, of people like you and me and the mayor in townhall, his sheriff on the corner, and the professor in the university — a story that happens no later than tomorrow.
There are people in high offices all over the world today that do not believe science matters. Would reading this story change their minds? Oh, silly me and my wishful thinking!
But maybe the youngsters should start learning more than just how to text and tweet. Don't neglect practical knowledge, kiddos! You never know when you might be called upon to save the world with nothing more than the thoughts in your head and the abilities in your hands.
"It is the portrayal of the unending conflict between ignorance and superstition on one hand, and knowledge and cultural enlightenment on the other as they come into conflict with each other during an unprecedented disaster brought on by the forces of nature."
So what more should I say? Well.....
Sometimes science fiction stories from 'way back when' make me laugh at the weird theories or cringe at the outdated thought processes of the characters. This one was not one of those. It was cliche in some ways ~~ how many high school seniors these days have not only built themselves a telescope but can tinker on their own cars and win marksmanship trophies in a shooting competition and operate a ham radio? Not to mention always seeming to be able to see the solution to problems when the 'grown-ups' get stymied!
But in most other ways it hit close to home, and hit hard. Our world is changing dramatically for various reasons, both natural and man-made. To read about the breaking down of the society in Ken Maddux's world felt like reading a scene from our own future. Again I will let Mr. Jones speak for his book, this time from an introduction before it all begins:
"The story of The Year When Stardust Fell is not a story of the distant future or of the remote past. It is not a story of a never-never land where fantastic happenings take place daily. It is a story of my town and yours, of people like you and me and the mayor in townhall, his sheriff on the corner, and the professor in the university — a story that happens no later than tomorrow.
There are people in high offices all over the world today that do not believe science matters. Would reading this story change their minds? Oh, silly me and my wishful thinking!
But maybe the youngsters should start learning more than just how to text and tweet. Don't neglect practical knowledge, kiddos! You never know when you might be called upon to save the world with nothing more than the thoughts in your head and the abilities in your hands.
January 2, 2021
I listened to this YA science fiction novel from 1958 (a very fine year indeed, if I do say so myself) thanks to the fine folks at Librivox. Earth passes through the tail of a comet which precipitates dust into the atmosphere that causes the breakdown of all machinery. Civilization soon collapses completely, and the book recounts the story of the fight for survival by the residents of a small college town. The protagonist is the son of a professor at the college, and he is the leader of the high school science club. The town is beset by all manner of problems and is attacked by civilians from within and without who have swiftly slipped into barbarism. He is instrumental into solving the crisis along with the help of his science club pals, the scientific staff at the college, and his Swedish girl friend. It's a surprisingly well thought-out story, with many clever points. Jones was an excellent, under-rated sf writer, now remembered almost exclusively for having written This Island Earth. I had to wonder if perhaps Stephen King read this one as a child; there's a character named Granny Wicks who reminded me of Mrs. Carmody from The Mist, and a tense early scene set at a grocery store that made me wonder if it not might have been an inspiration. It's a good, thought provoking old sf adventure.
June 18, 2020
I really enjoyed this apocalypse-style story about a comet passing unnervingly close to Earth. It sheds "dust" containing a new-to-science microscopic particles which fuse effortlessly with metals of all types and before anyone discovers it, these aggressive particles effectively shut down all and any type of machinery. And from there, chaos ensues as the amenities we take for granted, such as electricity and communication with the world, cease to exist.
For such a short book, it's full of everything I wanted: science with practical solutions and ingenuity, action packed events, a realistic outlook of how humankind would react, and some great protagonists and antagonists. When reading I felt like the author was really advocating science and it's importance to the survival of the human race given that our existence in the universe is tenuous and any of a number of things could wipe us out. It was inspiring.
For such a short book, it's full of everything I wanted: science with practical solutions and ingenuity, action packed events, a realistic outlook of how humankind would react, and some great protagonists and antagonists. When reading I felt like the author was really advocating science and it's importance to the survival of the human race given that our existence in the universe is tenuous and any of a number of things could wipe us out. It was inspiring.
April 4, 2025
I liked it. It had its flaws but I liked it.
⋆ ˚｡When Stardust Fell ⋆ ˚｡
A book set in the 1950s. Part of the ‘Winston Science Fiction collection’. Theme: science vs superstition. The build-up is very strong, just like it was in “The Alien” that this author also wrote, with a “meh” ending.
Cars start to act up and stall, all across the world as the comet passes Earth, and that's just the start of it. Ken is an all American teenager, new car, smart, good with girls, I rooted for him. As organized society starts to break down due to electronics and metal systems breaking down, they try to find peace. The city quickly realizes that this may last forever, and a team of scientists (kids/adults) assemble to disprove or prove the commit’s connection. They use tools to prove that dust from the stars (the comet) are behind all the issues!
Meanwhile, other townspeople feel like the comment has special powers, like youth restoration. Ken is nearly killed by food thieves! This is a pretty thrilling book actually. They try to make engines work through arranging them in spaces with filters and the like. It doesn’t work, as the star dust seeps into anything metal and bonds it together under friction. The animals start to get sick and they cull some, while families are placed together to conserve power and heat. They try to maintain their radio tower and hear about neighboring towns falling to looting and rioting. Their town soon becomes a haven for refugees, hurting their rations, and a squabble erupts that they can't take and help everyone without hurting themselves. “But the people will die!” “People die everywhere.”
There is a greater focus on society and science rather than religion and government, but all 4 play together well without taking one side. Their town gets targeted by raiders and a battle breaks out, it goes on for too long in my opinion. When it ens they are down food and Granny becomes a witch (kinda) and leads a mob to burn the science building and try to kill the scientists. I'm getting Animal Farm vibes alongside The Mist.
They can cure the dust problem with!!!--- projectors… okay. Something about light and heat and sound help clear it, okay… They start to share their findings with others and the squabbles of the town die down.
Maria decides to stay with Ken in America after the world starts to heal.
—
“The whole universe is a terrible place that barely tolerates living organisms. Almost without exception it is filled with great suns that are flaming, atomic furnaces, or dead cinders of planets to which a scrap of poisonous atmosphere may cling. Yes, it is indeed a great miracle that here in this corner of the universe conditions exist where living things have found a foothold. We may be glad that this is so, but it does not pay man to ever forget the fierceness of the home in which he lives. Earth is merely one room of that home, on the pleasant, sunny side of the house. But the whole universe is his home."
“The illusion of security is a vicious one. With physical comforts around us, the abyss that is just beyond our walls is forgotten: the abyss of outer space, beyond the paper-thin atmosphere shielding us.”
“-the scientist will always be needed if we are to retain the foothold we have gained over Nature. The witch doctors and the fortune tellers clamor for his niche and will gladly extend their services if we wish to change our allegiance. --a story that happens no later than tomorrow.”
⋆ ˚｡When Stardust Fell ⋆ ˚｡
A book set in the 1950s. Part of the ‘Winston Science Fiction collection’. Theme: science vs superstition. The build-up is very strong, just like it was in “The Alien” that this author also wrote, with a “meh” ending.
Cars start to act up and stall, all across the world as the comet passes Earth, and that's just the start of it. Ken is an all American teenager, new car, smart, good with girls, I rooted for him. As organized society starts to break down due to electronics and metal systems breaking down, they try to find peace. The city quickly realizes that this may last forever, and a team of scientists (kids/adults) assemble to disprove or prove the commit’s connection. They use tools to prove that dust from the stars (the comet) are behind all the issues!
Meanwhile, other townspeople feel like the comment has special powers, like youth restoration. Ken is nearly killed by food thieves! This is a pretty thrilling book actually. They try to make engines work through arranging them in spaces with filters and the like. It doesn’t work, as the star dust seeps into anything metal and bonds it together under friction. The animals start to get sick and they cull some, while families are placed together to conserve power and heat. They try to maintain their radio tower and hear about neighboring towns falling to looting and rioting. Their town soon becomes a haven for refugees, hurting their rations, and a squabble erupts that they can't take and help everyone without hurting themselves. “But the people will die!” “People die everywhere.”
There is a greater focus on society and science rather than religion and government, but all 4 play together well without taking one side. Their town gets targeted by raiders and a battle breaks out, it goes on for too long in my opinion. When it ens they are down food and Granny becomes a witch (kinda) and leads a mob to burn the science building and try to kill the scientists. I'm getting Animal Farm vibes alongside The Mist.
They can cure the dust problem with!!!--- projectors… okay. Something about light and heat and sound help clear it, okay… They start to share their findings with others and the squabbles of the town die down.
Maria decides to stay with Ken in America after the world starts to heal.
—
“The whole universe is a terrible place that barely tolerates living organisms. Almost without exception it is filled with great suns that are flaming, atomic furnaces, or dead cinders of planets to which a scrap of poisonous atmosphere may cling. Yes, it is indeed a great miracle that here in this corner of the universe conditions exist where living things have found a foothold. We may be glad that this is so, but it does not pay man to ever forget the fierceness of the home in which he lives. Earth is merely one room of that home, on the pleasant, sunny side of the house. But the whole universe is his home."
“The illusion of security is a vicious one. With physical comforts around us, the abyss that is just beyond our walls is forgotten: the abyss of outer space, beyond the paper-thin atmosphere shielding us.”
“-the scientist will always be needed if we are to retain the foothold we have gained over Nature. The witch doctors and the fortune tellers clamor for his niche and will gladly extend their services if we wish to change our allegiance. --a story that happens no later than tomorrow.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2019
There's a great chat up line in this book.....
'do you want to come over to my house and look at the comet through my telescope?'
'sure'
I must remember THAT ONE. All I need is a telescope, a comet to be in the sky and enough courage to speak to a female.... Hmmmmm
So the PLANET is passing through the tail of a comet and a certain substance begins to hit the fan. Engines are the first things to suffer. They begin to break down... Now I know that the people in the book are just characters, but they don't know they are characters , they think they are real and because of this they have no ideas that the comet is responsible for the shutdown of engines around the entire globe. We of course know this, it's a sci-fi book about a comet.....but we still have to endure way to much about these engines. What could have possibly caused this?!?! ITS THE COMET YOU HALFWITS....
Through in the usual guff, disease, crazy people, fighting, etc and you have this.....
A fun read here and there but a little dated considering the amount of Apocalyptic and Post Apocalyptic movies and books which have come out since.....
'do you want to come over to my house and look at the comet through my telescope?'
'sure'
I must remember THAT ONE. All I need is a telescope, a comet to be in the sky and enough courage to speak to a female.... Hmmmmm
So the PLANET is passing through the tail of a comet and a certain substance begins to hit the fan. Engines are the first things to suffer. They begin to break down... Now I know that the people in the book are just characters, but they don't know they are characters , they think they are real and because of this they have no ideas that the comet is responsible for the shutdown of engines around the entire globe. We of course know this, it's a sci-fi book about a comet.....but we still have to endure way to much about these engines. What could have possibly caused this?!?! ITS THE COMET YOU HALFWITS....
Through in the usual guff, disease, crazy people, fighting, etc and you have this.....
A fun read here and there but a little dated considering the amount of Apocalyptic and Post Apocalyptic movies and books which have come out since.....
October 3, 2017
A comet passes close to the Earth and soon all machines start to break down. The story centres around a small American town's attempts to survive the resulting panic. As you might expect, power, food and all life's essentials are in short supply.
This book was originally published in 1958 and shows it in places. The language and attitudes are a bit old fashioned but it doesn't ruin the story. I did, however, think it was a bit unlikely that the main character is a teenage boy who is a top scientist, athlete and general all-rounder who doesn't seem to do anything badly.
All in all, quite a good book. Enough action and a decent storyline, and fairly realistic (if you can accept the reason why the comet causes the disaster!).
This book was originally published in 1958 and shows it in places. The language and attitudes are a bit old fashioned but it doesn't ruin the story. I did, however, think it was a bit unlikely that the main character is a teenage boy who is a top scientist, athlete and general all-rounder who doesn't seem to do anything badly.
All in all, quite a good book. Enough action and a decent storyline, and fairly realistic (if you can accept the reason why the comet causes the disaster!).
November 29, 2014
Comets are known as harbingers of death. This is how our civilization dies. When modern mechanical conveniences break down so does our society. In this story we follow the townsfolk of a little college town as they try to hold things together battling mechanical breakdowns, marauding nomads, disease and civil unrest amongst themselves. A well written, if slightly dated, SF story. I enjoyed most of it, even if some of the characters were rather shallow and transparent.
The Project Gutenberg eBook was formatted well with no obvious errors.
The Project Gutenberg eBook was formatted well with no obvious errors.
February 27, 2011
vacation read #6. Interesting old school apocalypse. A comet rains "dust" on earth and disrupts the operation of all machinery. Death and disaster ensue. MC is a high school boy who is a bit of a Mary Sue (or Marty Stu, if you prefer,) who seems to always be the one with the innovative idea, in the right place at the right time, or rallying the troops when it appears all hope is lost.
Still, an interesting early entry in "end of the world as we know it" type sci-fi.
Still, an interesting early entry in "end of the world as we know it" type sci-fi.
December 21, 2013
One always tends to remember their first ... and this was my first ever science fiction novel, back when it was released in the 50's. I just happened to be wandering in the library and thought it sounded interesting. Glad I picked it up. Found it was available in the kindle version so downloaded it for old times sake.
July 6, 2019
Originally written in the 50s this book stood up well against the past 50+ years since its publication. There's nothing really new or different about the story or setting but it becomes more impressive when you realize it was one of the first sci-fi stories to explore the (now common) sudden technology loss through sudden means concept.
The only problem I had with this could be from personal bias but I don't think so. The entire book is written from a science-based perspective, extolling the values of knowledge over superstition, collaboration vs. separatism, etc. but the thick Judeo-Christian thread referenced in nearly every critical plot point was too much for me. To hear the main characters, portrayed as rational, smart scientists with altruistic motives, embrace prayer for a safe resolution to an anthrax outbreak, and excessively wring their hands over moralistic choices that have an obvious solution (if approached rationally as the rest of the book does) was tiring and jarring in terms of the context of the story.
I get that the characters are human and this was the 50s but the authors inherent bias towards Christianity only weakened the entire story.
The only problem I had with this could be from personal bias but I don't think so. The entire book is written from a science-based perspective, extolling the values of knowledge over superstition, collaboration vs. separatism, etc. but the thick Judeo-Christian thread referenced in nearly every critical plot point was too much for me. To hear the main characters, portrayed as rational, smart scientists with altruistic motives, embrace prayer for a safe resolution to an anthrax outbreak, and excessively wring their hands over moralistic choices that have an obvious solution (if approached rationally as the rest of the book does) was tiring and jarring in terms of the context of the story.
I get that the characters are human and this was the 50s but the authors inherent bias towards Christianity only weakened the entire story.
February 3, 2020
Honestly it was pretty good, just very much a 50s sci-fi novel in that its very hopeful and amazed by atomic weapons and all that. Which is meh. But, parts of it resonated very well, especially when talking about people turning away from common sense and reason due to fear. Seemed prophetic in those terms. Just would have been nice if the protagonist wasn't a high school boy who with his science club friends, saved the day due to science and confidence.
February 23, 2021
This has a nice narrative. It is a frank look at the way we, as humans come together in a crisis. It considers both the beautiful and the ugliness within humanity and the way that we reach them. This novel also considers the role of faith. The faith we put in each other, in science and in religion.
There are places that the novel glosses over the story and I haven't entirely decided if that was good or bad for the over all work. The ending felt rushed and left me wanting.
There are places that the novel glosses over the story and I haven't entirely decided if that was good or bad for the over all work. The ending felt rushed and left me wanting.
May 23, 2021
Very surprised to discover that the book my libertarian father has been raving about my entire life is actually a socialist allegory? It’s not particularly well-written (I’m also hard pressed to suspend my disbelief enough to buy that a 16 year old solves this unprecedented scientific crisis, but I digress...). That being said, it was remarkably ahead of its time in 1958. It’s out of print, regardless I’d recommend Station Eleven over this. It’s better written and even more poignant.
May 3, 2019
This was an audiobook from LibriVox!
https://librivox.org/the-year-when-st...
https://librivox.org/the-year-when-st...
September 21, 2019
The year when stardust fell by Raymond F Jones was a interesting read and my first apocalypse sort of book am so glad I was able to listen to the book for free
November 20, 2021
Ehhh. Even as a 1950s juvenile, this is trite and tedious.
March 16, 2023
Old school (1950s) apocalypse story that's a cross between Father Knows Best and Leave It to Beaver. It's underlining message eerily holds up well. Nice read.
sony-or-android
August 17, 2023gutenberg or hoopla
March 6, 2015
I'm not sure how I missed this book when I was growing up - it was first published in 1955, so it was certainly available to me. And I'm sure I would have loved it, as it is somewhat similar to Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank, which was one of my favorite books. Both tell of an apocalyptic event, and the aftermath thereof. However, while Alas, Babylon dealt with nuclear war, the event in this book is caused by "space dust" in a comet's tail. The effect of the dust is to fuse all metals in any type of moving mechanism, with devastating societal consequences.
The action takes place in a small college town called Mayfield. The main character is Ken Maddox, a teenage boy who is very into science. (His father is a chemistry professor at the college.) Ken is very excited about a comet that is passing so close to earth that the earth will be engulfed in the comet's tail. When car engines start failing, Ken and his science club friends start investigating the possibility that the comet is responsible. Soon, they hear reports of engines failing all over the world - planes, trains, cars, turbines in hydroelectric dams, etc. This means no electricity, no water, no food - except that which is on hand. The reaction of people to the loss of all modern trappings is what one would expect: fear, hoarding, looting, rioting, killing. This was one of the strong suits of of the book - I felt it didn't sugar-coat the way people would respond, as I kind of expected from a book of this era. But the author does not shy away from depicting the hoards of people stampeding through cities.
Ken, his father, and the other scientists at the college begin research to try to find a way to neutralize the negative affects of the comet dust. They contact other communities via ham radio, to share research. It is through the radio they hear of the riots and killing, which destroy the labs at Berkeley.
Mayfield, itself, is not immune to the darker side of humanity - there is hoarding, as well as a group who become superstitious and begin to blame the scientists for the problem. This group is led by an old woman who has "prophesied" about the devastation of the comet, in somewhat religious tones. This is another area where the book surprised me. I could certainly see a large segment of the current US population easily going down this path, were something similar to happen today. To have this depicted in a book from the 50's is certainly prescient of the author. The struggles in the community, between these two factions, are very realistically portrayed.
Those are the good points of the book. Now to the downsides. As is expected in a book released in 1955, it is very sexist. Only boys are in the science club - this is not a rule, but it is just assumed that girls would not be interested. All of the adult scientists are men. The daughter of one of the scientists, who is sort of Ken's girlfriend, is expected to handle the radio (after instruction by Ken, of course) and do the typing up of the recorded transmissions. When a large army of nomads attacks Mayfield, only the men are given weapons and expected to defend their community. The women are expected to be nurses. I found this blatant sexism to be a major detractor from my enjoyment of the book.
And, of course, the science behind the comet dust is pretty iffy, though the author does a pretty decent job of scientific hand-waving and technospeak - enough that I could almost accept it. Willing suspension of disbelief, and all that.
So, major kudos for handling the realistic breakdown of society that would arise from such an event. But minus points for the rampant sexism. I would still recommend this to young science fiction readers, as long as an adult could point out the drawbacks of the sexism. But because of the good points, I think it's worth reading.
The action takes place in a small college town called Mayfield. The main character is Ken Maddox, a teenage boy who is very into science. (His father is a chemistry professor at the college.) Ken is very excited about a comet that is passing so close to earth that the earth will be engulfed in the comet's tail. When car engines start failing, Ken and his science club friends start investigating the possibility that the comet is responsible. Soon, they hear reports of engines failing all over the world - planes, trains, cars, turbines in hydroelectric dams, etc. This means no electricity, no water, no food - except that which is on hand. The reaction of people to the loss of all modern trappings is what one would expect: fear, hoarding, looting, rioting, killing. This was one of the strong suits of of the book - I felt it didn't sugar-coat the way people would respond, as I kind of expected from a book of this era. But the author does not shy away from depicting the hoards of people stampeding through cities.
Ken, his father, and the other scientists at the college begin research to try to find a way to neutralize the negative affects of the comet dust. They contact other communities via ham radio, to share research. It is through the radio they hear of the riots and killing, which destroy the labs at Berkeley.
Mayfield, itself, is not immune to the darker side of humanity - there is hoarding, as well as a group who become superstitious and begin to blame the scientists for the problem. This group is led by an old woman who has "prophesied" about the devastation of the comet, in somewhat religious tones. This is another area where the book surprised me. I could certainly see a large segment of the current US population easily going down this path, were something similar to happen today. To have this depicted in a book from the 50's is certainly prescient of the author. The struggles in the community, between these two factions, are very realistically portrayed.
Those are the good points of the book. Now to the downsides. As is expected in a book released in 1955, it is very sexist. Only boys are in the science club - this is not a rule, but it is just assumed that girls would not be interested. All of the adult scientists are men. The daughter of one of the scientists, who is sort of Ken's girlfriend, is expected to handle the radio (after instruction by Ken, of course) and do the typing up of the recorded transmissions. When a large army of nomads attacks Mayfield, only the men are given weapons and expected to defend their community. The women are expected to be nurses. I found this blatant sexism to be a major detractor from my enjoyment of the book.
And, of course, the science behind the comet dust is pretty iffy, though the author does a pretty decent job of scientific hand-waving and technospeak - enough that I could almost accept it. Willing suspension of disbelief, and all that.
So, major kudos for handling the realistic breakdown of society that would arise from such an event. But minus points for the rampant sexism. I would still recommend this to young science fiction readers, as long as an adult could point out the drawbacks of the sexism. But because of the good points, I think it's worth reading.
July 21, 2018
Decent juvenile science fiction.
You read that right. Juvenile science fiction. That's what this was called when first published in the 1950s. Back then the books in the science fiction section of libraries had either a little Saturn or a little rocket ship sticker. I first read this in about 1967. I didn't know it then, but this was my first post apocalyptic novel. A comet passes earth, leaving a dust that bonds with metal, stopping all machinery. Technological man - stopped by dust. As is typical with novels of this kind, people bond together to fix things, while others prey. There are few punches pulled. The terror of the rest of the world is described through radio messages. This is an entertaining read that I'm glad was rescued from the dust bin of history.
You read that right. Juvenile science fiction. That's what this was called when first published in the 1950s. Back then the books in the science fiction section of libraries had either a little Saturn or a little rocket ship sticker. I first read this in about 1967. I didn't know it then, but this was my first post apocalyptic novel. A comet passes earth, leaving a dust that bonds with metal, stopping all machinery. Technological man - stopped by dust. As is typical with novels of this kind, people bond together to fix things, while others prey. There are few punches pulled. The terror of the rest of the world is described through radio messages. This is an entertaining read that I'm glad was rescued from the dust bin of history.
June 11, 2011
I knew of Raymond F. Jones from the movie, if not the book, entitled "This Island Earth." I found this old edition of The Year When Stardust Fell, in a used book store and read it, despite its being a "young adult" novel, because it promised to be an end of civilization story--a favorite subgenre of science fiction.
April 16, 2017
Written in 1958, this book was very heavy handed. There were a few great passages in this book between father and son about life, motivation, and purpose. The heavy-handedness almost stopped me from continuing to read a few times, but it was worth it. It was a fairly quick read, even if it's all I had to do on some long plane rides. It was obvious that the author had some scientific training before I knew that he had.
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