Williams, Paul O. The Breaking of Northwall.1980. E-book ed., Bison 2014. Pelbar Cycle 1
Paul O. Williams is best known for his Haiku, essays in the Christian Science Monitor, and one seven-book series of post-apocalyptic science fiction. The Breaking of Northwall, the first volume of the Pelbar Cycle, is set a thousand years after a nuclear disaster. North America is now inhabited by tribes that do not share a common language. Some are village dwellers, while others are nomadic horsemen. Slavery and warfare are routine. The bow and arrow are the latest in weaponry. We follow Jestak, a young man exiled from his peaceful metalworking village of Pelbar. His travels teach him skills from multiple cultures. He becomes a change agent wherever he goes. Jestak is a likable hero, and the many cultures he visits are well-differentiated. The North American economy stretches credulity. We seem to have metalworking without mining, for example. I am not sure what accounts for the ability of horses to survive and thrive after the nukes. But these are quibbles. The Breaking of Northwall is an engrossing adventure with no pretensions as future history. 4 stars. ( )

Thought I would give this a try, but I couldn't get more than a few pages into it. Lots of long, tedious expository dialogue. Confusing. Not worth the effort. ( )

My spousal unit found out about this series somehow or other and ordered the first book. It's a thousand years into the future after a huge nuclear holocaust, the remnant populations, gathered in small tribal groups are reaching a turning point, large enough to start rubbing up against one another. In this first novel Williams introduces three major tribal groups near one another and in conflict, each group with quite different beliefs and folkways. Jestak, from the Pelbar tribe, a group that lives within huge fortresses and primarily governed by women, doesn't fit. He had been sent East to learn about the eastern coastal culture and beyond, but when he returned he wouldn't talk about his experience. First he was punished, then banished to the farthest north of the walled fortresses (Northwall) but he doesn't stay. There is a fourth tribal culture, not far away and he is aware they are going to try invading and wants to get the three groups to cooperate. OK so that is the plot. What makes the story work so well is that the characters are very engaging, the writing is straightforward and the different cultural choices are intriguing. I was on a trip and couldn't wait for book 2 and so continued by E. book, but will likely purchase the set! That's how much I love it! ****1/2

It's not the overlooked classic I was half hoping for, but in less than fifty pages I decided it's solid enough that I'm going to read the rest of this series. I find the setting very engaging. It's a sci-fi/fantasy hybrid, a post-apocalyptic North America now peopled by an intriguing mix of what stands in for medieval, indigeneous and perhaps early enlightenment cultures. 1,000 years after the "time of fire" (nuclear war?), these divided peoples are beginning to rediscover they have a common past. The Pelbar matriarchy is the most civilized among its neighbours, albeit too stiffly wedded to tradition. Challenging this stiffness is the novel's central theme, as changing times demand greater flexibility.

The author demonstrates either good research or a working knowledge of diplomacy, survival skills and various crafts, and the variety of cultures is well-drawn and developed. Unfortunately the characters are mostly flat, and romance can be wince-inducing. I'm also not fond of the rapid scene changes and too much info-dumping, as what happens in the very first chapter. Struggling past these, there's something worthwhile in the generated atmosphere. Mr. Williams presents a refreshingly positive view of a far-flung, back-to-the-land future, with the lightness of David Eddings' Belgariad and some of the feel of Jean Auel's Earth Children, mixed with a healthy dose of grittier action. ( )

Jestak of the Pelbar, a matriarchal society of metalworkers that lives in walled cities, is sent on a journey with several of his peers to establish trade with a city far to the west. Jestak alone returns and when he refuses to tell his tale he is exiled to Northwall. There he recounts the death of his party and how his travels lead him through the world, encountering many different cultures and learning of their customs. Jestak forges alliances with members of the hostile tribes surrounding Northwall and begs their aid in rescuing a woman he met on his travels. The Pelbar look on his activities with scorn, they do not understand the power of such alliances until they are called to arms when slavers attack their city.

A good read with well developed characters. The interactions between Jestak and the different tribes he encounters is quite interesting. I did find the book a bit dated while reading however but I'm not able to put my finger on exactly what gave me that impression. I look forward to getting my hands on the next book in the series. ( )