SOLVED. Adult Sci-Fi. Human colony on planet with a slow rotation, time zones named after days. Technology falls apart, humans devolve to nomads. Boy in a Herder nomad group. Title: Born on a Wednesday? Read in 2002. Published in 1960's/1970's. [s]

[B E Burket]

I thought the title was "Born on a Wednesday" by Pournelle, but cannot find that and it is not in his book listing.

This book is from the 60's or 70's, I read it in 2002.

A human colony is established (crashed?) on a planet with a slow rotation and technology falls apart. Due to the slow rotation of the planet structures freeze on the dark side. Time zones are named after days.

Main character is a boy in a Herder nomad group. The Herder is the only adult male with a 'harem' of women. The herder sends out the boys to start their own herd or away to prevent challenges. Herd is visited by special visitor who is aware of technology and wants to direct travel to avoid large inland sea.
SPOILERS

The main character leaves the herd and ends up on a floating living island with inbred humans who have dolphins as pets (like dogs).

Some issue with the island causes the main character to leave and he ends up at a mining camp as a slave. His knees are shattered.

He is saved by the people who still have some tech and brought to the north pole where they have built buildings on a series of giant turtles that slowly move with the sun. He becomes one of them and a teacher.

He takes his knowledge from them and becomes a king once the herds can travel back to the grassland of his birth (~40 years later).

[Sue]

West of January by Dave Duncan?

[Kris]

B E, is this book for adults or teens?

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[Kris]

Sue's suggestion of West of January by Dave Duncan sounds like your book. Here is the Google Books preview:

https://books.google.com/books?id=6kk... There are different cover images.

[B E Burket]

B E Burket wrote: "I thought the title was "Born on a Wednesday" by Pournelle, but cannot find that and it is not in his book listing.

This book is from the 60's or 70's, I read it in 2002.

A human colony is establ..."

West of January! Thanks!