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Shalaki-Shalakhem and the Putting of Words on Wood
Parched deserts are spreading as sun and moons play havoc with the world of young Shal. Why do his elders cling to the old ways? And now, as he grows to adolescence, he can’t understand a word his father says! Meanwhile, Lak is having the same problem with her mother. Scarce resources have led to rigid social practices, and only the Old Traveler finds a welcome everywhere he travels. Good thing - his tales sustain the traditions that keep Shal’s and Lak’s world alive. But when these young folks meet, sparks begin to fly, and soon the old world is being penetrated and challenged by new ideas. Will the new family of Shalaki-Shalakhem bring survival to their people?
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 27, 2018
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About the author
John S. Lewis
32 books20 followersJohn S. Lewis (born June 27, 1941) is a Professor Emeritus of planetary science at the University of Arizona’s Lunar and Planetary Laboratory. His interests in the chemistry and formation of the solar system and the economic development of space have made him a leading proponent of turning potentially hazardous near-Earth objects into attractive space resources.
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January 25, 2021The evolution of language and communication is at the core of this story. Yes, dangerous changes are happening to the planet of Shal and his friend Lak. But the evolution of thinking and the need for development of their society's language determine the outcome.
On this planet, males can hear only females and children. They cannot communicate directly with other men: their auditory systems can't hear them. The women stay home with their offspring, so knowledge is not easily spread and cross-pollinated.
To avoid misunderstandings, males don't cross boundary lines into the holdings of other families, but they do meet at the three-fold corners where their hexagonal boundaries converge, to share news and to hear about potential mates. And young males go on walk-about looking for a mate.
This set-up is played out in Shalaki-Shalakhem, which is a story of the breakthrough of a new technology, written language.
Full disclosure: The novel is written by my husband, space scientist John S. Lewis. The science and the details of planetary evolution are sound. He has written elsewhere on the evolution of scientific and/or intellectual thought (see this two-novel series A Rending Clash of Worlds: The Astronomers and A Rending Clash of Worlds: The Engineers). I find this story charming and thought-provoking with its what-ifs.
On this planet, males can hear only females and children. They cannot communicate directly with other men: their auditory systems can't hear them. The women stay home with their offspring, so knowledge is not easily spread and cross-pollinated.
To avoid misunderstandings, males don't cross boundary lines into the holdings of other families, but they do meet at the three-fold corners where their hexagonal boundaries converge, to share news and to hear about potential mates. And young males go on walk-about looking for a mate.
This set-up is played out in Shalaki-Shalakhem, which is a story of the breakthrough of a new technology, written language.
Full disclosure: The novel is written by my husband, space scientist John S. Lewis. The science and the details of planetary evolution are sound. He has written elsewhere on the evolution of scientific and/or intellectual thought (see this two-novel series A Rending Clash of Worlds: The Astronomers and A Rending Clash of Worlds: The Engineers). I find this story charming and thought-provoking with its what-ifs.
Displaying 1 of 1 review