Dawn For A Distant Earth (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first Modesitt I've read, and I have to admit that I wasn't overly impressed. Dawn for a Distant Earth wasn't a bad book, but I found the prose kind of clunky to read at times, as well the book having extending slow periods I had to trudge through. Now, most all books are slow at times, but I didn't find the characterizations strong enough to aid in bringing us through the slow parts of the book. Also, I found just about all of the characters -- including the main protagonist, Gerswin -- to be "distant" throughout much of the book; I rarely got intimate glimpses into the characters' psyches. Though there are a few touching moments, especially regarding the interaction between Gerswin and a "lost love". Overall, I have every intent of finishing this trilogy, but if the second and third books follow the same path as the first, I think it'll be a while before I read any more Modesitt.

The Earth colonies formed a Federation and later an Empire and somehow lost contact with Earth. After countless years, an Imperial scout rediscovered the planet and the ISS Torquina was sent to survey the world. They found a wasteland of scattered ruins, mostly uninhabited and almost uninhabitable. The remaining animals were generally inedible due to toxin levels, as were many plants.

In this novel, the Torquina finds two populations on the planet: shambletowners and devilkids. The shambletowners live in squalid homes behind guarded walls and raise relatively uncontaminated food in trays. The devilkids, however, live in separate family groups, widely scattered in hidden nooks among the ruins, and gather their food from the poisoned land. Both groups are the prey of coyotes and rat packs.

The Torquina crew captures an injured devilkid and tests his abilities. He is extremely strong with a high intelligence and a blinding fast reaction time. The boy takes the name MacGregor Corson Gershwin and is educated as an Imperial, becoming an ISS officer and pilot. He returns to Old Earth as a flitter pilot supporting the scientists studying the ravaged world.

In this story, Gershwin gradually develops a dedication to restoring Old Earth to her former glory. He recruits other devilkids, sending them to be educated in the Empire, and uses them as the nucleus of his organization on Old Earth. Since he is Earthborn, the Empire rejects his requests for transfer to another assignment. Thus, with his longevity, he eventually becomes the commander of Old Earth Base. However, Imperial support for the reclamation effort has dwindled over the decades and Old Earth is having difficulties in getting mission related supplies and equipment.

While Gershwin was awaiting transport to his assignment on Old Earth, he shared one night of love with Caroljoy. They each remembered that night for the rest of their lives. Although Gershwin doesn't know for years, Caroljoy became pregnant with his child. She was married to a Duke, who cherished both her and the child, but she still remembered her Lieutenant.

This novel introduces the myth of the Captain, the prophet who preaches the rebirth of Old Earth and the leader who establishes the effort to banish the deadlands and to bring back the cool, green grass and trees to Old Earth. Nothing stops him, for he is destined to bring Old Earth back to life again. Even the Empire is reluctant to interfere with his destiny.

Highly recommended for Modesitt fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of individual daring and dedicated perseverance with a touch of romance.

-Arthur W. Jordin