What do you think?
Rate this book
The Hero of Downways
Clone me courage! Once there was a Hero who confronted the dreaded Daggertooth and slew it. Unfortunately he was also slain by it - but the legend persisted. If it could be done once, then another Hero could be raised to do it again. Because the Daggertooth was dangerous to hibernating humanity. All people - all that anyone knew of - lived far underground in tunnels built for safety and hibernation. The Daggertooth was a mass killer - more so even than the hideous Oddlies, the outcasts of the darker tunnels.
So this is the story of John-A, the "vatkid" who was trained to be a second hero. And the story of "trukid" Shirl who taught John-A what to do. And Threesum, the Oddlies' leader, who scoffed at heroes. And the Elders who frowned at all the risky goings-on. This is the story of a mighty strange world and a mighty strange future...a gascinating experience in science fiction projection by the talented author of MIRROR IMAGE and FRIENDS COME IN BOXES.
DAW Books No. 70
Cover Artist: Josh Kirby
So this is the story of John-A, the "vatkid" who was trained to be a second hero. And the story of "trukid" Shirl who taught John-A what to do. And Threesum, the Oddlies' leader, who scoffed at heroes. And the Elders who frowned at all the risky goings-on. This is the story of a mighty strange world and a mighty strange future...a gascinating experience in science fiction projection by the talented author of MIRROR IMAGE and FRIENDS COME IN BOXES.
DAW Books No. 70
Cover Artist: Josh Kirby
188 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 18, 1973
1 person is currently reading
54 people want to read
About the author
Michael G. Coney
120 books27 followersMichael Greatrex Coney was born in Birmingham, England and educated at King Edward's School.
He started a career as a chartered accountant and went on to become a management Consultant. Then he went into the catering business, managing an inn in south Devon with his wife, Daphne for three years and a hotel in the West Indies for another three. He worked for Financial Services in the B.C. Forest Service for seventeen years before retiring .
He Passed away 4 November 2005. peacefully of Cancer (Mesothelioma). He was married with three children and lived on Vancouver Island.
He started a career as a chartered accountant and went on to become a management Consultant. Then he went into the catering business, managing an inn in south Devon with his wife, Daphne for three years and a hotel in the West Indies for another three. He worked for Financial Services in the B.C. Forest Service for seventeen years before retiring .
He Passed away 4 November 2005. peacefully of Cancer (Mesothelioma). He was married with three children and lived on Vancouver Island.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 10, 2020
DAW Collectors #70
Cover Artist: Josh Kirby
Name: Coney, Michael Greatrex, Birthplace: Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, UK, (28 September 1932 - 4 November 2005)
In 'Downways', world of two suns, beneath the surface of the earth, the people waited in mortal fear for the Daggertooth, a killer more dreaded even than the hideous Oddlies, the outcasts of the darker tunnels.
Once there was a Hero who confronted the dreaded Daggertooth and slew it. Unfortunately he was also slain by it - but the legend persisted. If it could be done once, then another Hero could be raised to do it again. Because the Daggertooth was dangerous to hibernating humanity. All people - all that anyone knew of - lived far underground in tunnels built for safety and hibernation. The Daggertooth was a mass killer - more so even than the hideous Oddlies, the outcasts of the darker tunnels. So this is the story of John-A, the "vatkid" who was trained to be a second Hero. And the story of "trukid" Shirl who taught John-A what to do. And Threesum, the Oddlies' leader, who scoffed at heroes. And the Elders who frowned at all the risky goings-on. This is the story of a mighty strange world and a mighty strange future.
Cover Artist: Josh Kirby
Name: Coney, Michael Greatrex, Birthplace: Birmingham, Warwickshire, England, UK, (28 September 1932 - 4 November 2005)
In 'Downways', world of two suns, beneath the surface of the earth, the people waited in mortal fear for the Daggertooth, a killer more dreaded even than the hideous Oddlies, the outcasts of the darker tunnels.
Once there was a Hero who confronted the dreaded Daggertooth and slew it. Unfortunately he was also slain by it - but the legend persisted. If it could be done once, then another Hero could be raised to do it again. Because the Daggertooth was dangerous to hibernating humanity. All people - all that anyone knew of - lived far underground in tunnels built for safety and hibernation. The Daggertooth was a mass killer - more so even than the hideous Oddlies, the outcasts of the darker tunnels. So this is the story of John-A, the "vatkid" who was trained to be a second Hero. And the story of "trukid" Shirl who taught John-A what to do. And Threesum, the Oddlies' leader, who scoffed at heroes. And the Elders who frowned at all the risky goings-on. This is the story of a mighty strange world and a mighty strange future.
August 3, 2025
The Hero of Downways was Coney's fourth published novel, and the third published in 1973; his debut was prolific. It's a pretty good post-apocalypse adventure in which the survivors have been forced to become subterranean, and some classic fantasy hero tropes are retold with a science fiction spin. There's a lot of slangy/vernaculars that are a little distracting from time to time, but it's still a fun read. The back of the DAW edition curiously states: "This is the story of a mighty strange world and a mighty strange future... a fascinating experience in science fiction projection..." Mighty strange indeed...
December 11, 2009
Book Review: The Hero of Downways by Michael G Coney
Published in 1974 by Daw Books
Cover illustration by Josh Kirby
Welcome to Downways where the Trukids live and go to school, the Oddlies lurk around the cavern and tunnel corners, maggots recycle waste food and the blackfurs are raised and herded for their fur.
This is the strange world of Trukid Shirl, who meets with John-A a Vatkid and together they battle the fierce Daggertooth, relative to the Blackfurs, but a near unstoppable killer to the dwellers of Downways. Only once before has someone defeated, killed, a Daggertooth, and that hero is long dead.
John-A is a Vatkid, the only one in the novel, made from a sliver of flesh from The Hero. He enters into a world unsuited to heroes, danger, or change. Still without his assistance the Trufolk are in danger. Shirl, a Trukid cursed with curiosity or perhaps blessed, has seen the Oddlies moving on the outskirts of the tunnels where she lives at. During the long hibes (periods when either they sleep or are awake) she either sleeps and is plagued with strange dreams or wanders searching for answers. She finds some, along with many more questions along the way. One question she has deals with the reason the Trufolk can see into the Infrared when the older humans could not. Also an illustration of a blackfur, titled a dormouse, sparks her wondering as to the relative scale of things.
Touching on the themes of acceptance, evolution and change, danger and enclosed in communities, The Hero of Downways is a superb story with a decent setting and some distinct characters. The actual setting along with the reasons for their living underground differed from what this reviewer thought was going to be answer up until the end portion of the novel.
There are few novels this reviewer has read in the years since 1974 when he started seriously reading, that are set in an underground situation. The only other one that comes to mind immediately is The Sunset Warrior by Eric Van Lustbader.
As a note, this reviewer does have one other of his novels, Cat Karina, which has yet to be read, but is now on the list of reads and reviews.
This copy was purchased used at The Book Bazaar located in Lakeland Florida
Links related to Michael G Conley and The Hero of Downways
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_...
http://members.shaw.ca/mconey/
Coverart to the edition owned found at http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/c/m...
There is a fair lack of information available online at the time of this review
Daw Books are located at http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pag...
Superb list of books published by Daw Books in Order
(Amazing how many of these this reviewer has owned or read all as Daw Books titles)
Published in 1974 by Daw Books
Cover illustration by Josh Kirby
Welcome to Downways where the Trukids live and go to school, the Oddlies lurk around the cavern and tunnel corners, maggots recycle waste food and the blackfurs are raised and herded for their fur.
This is the strange world of Trukid Shirl, who meets with John-A a Vatkid and together they battle the fierce Daggertooth, relative to the Blackfurs, but a near unstoppable killer to the dwellers of Downways. Only once before has someone defeated, killed, a Daggertooth, and that hero is long dead.
John-A is a Vatkid, the only one in the novel, made from a sliver of flesh from The Hero. He enters into a world unsuited to heroes, danger, or change. Still without his assistance the Trufolk are in danger. Shirl, a Trukid cursed with curiosity or perhaps blessed, has seen the Oddlies moving on the outskirts of the tunnels where she lives at. During the long hibes (periods when either they sleep or are awake) she either sleeps and is plagued with strange dreams or wanders searching for answers. She finds some, along with many more questions along the way. One question she has deals with the reason the Trufolk can see into the Infrared when the older humans could not. Also an illustration of a blackfur, titled a dormouse, sparks her wondering as to the relative scale of things.
Touching on the themes of acceptance, evolution and change, danger and enclosed in communities, The Hero of Downways is a superb story with a decent setting and some distinct characters. The actual setting along with the reasons for their living underground differed from what this reviewer thought was going to be answer up until the end portion of the novel.
There are few novels this reviewer has read in the years since 1974 when he started seriously reading, that are set in an underground situation. The only other one that comes to mind immediately is The Sunset Warrior by Eric Van Lustbader.
As a note, this reviewer does have one other of his novels, Cat Karina, which has yet to be read, but is now on the list of reads and reviews.
This copy was purchased used at The Book Bazaar located in Lakeland Florida
Links related to Michael G Conley and The Hero of Downways
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_...
http://members.shaw.ca/mconey/
Coverart to the edition owned found at http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/c/m...
There is a fair lack of information available online at the time of this review
Daw Books are located at http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pag...
Superb list of books published by Daw Books in Order
(Amazing how many of these this reviewer has owned or read all as Daw Books titles)
January 22, 2013
This is a middling post-apocalyptic tale of people living underground. They've been modified, evidently by genetic engineering and perhaps also by radiation and evolution. One revelation will be easy to figure out early on while another is not that well set up. The writing is a bit stilted, as well.
February 2, 2012
Interesting book and idea. I enjoyed it greatly when I read it, then spent many years looking for its title and author. When someone finally id-ed for me, I went looking for a copy. I now have a copy, but haven't had a chance to re-read it yet.
May 3, 2020
My first real taste of the strangeness.
Fine work of kid's satire
Fine work of kid's satire
March 11, 2023
Bought second hand based on the cover alone expecting a sword and sorcery type deal, turned out to be a post apocalyptic underground society. Some interesting ideas regarding societal divides and the dangers of eugenics , although the writing feels like it has been fed through a thesaurus, and being 50years old definitely feels it's age. You may see the plot twists very far in advance like I did!
The book version of an old scifi movie of ITV on Sunday afternoon
The book version of an old scifi movie of ITV on Sunday afternoon
November 8, 2014
1986 grade C-
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews