THE FALL OF THE SHELL

Rating:
Summary: Interesting overlooked work of SF
Review: This is the fourth and central work of a series about the spiritual and technological rebirth of a future North America wrecked by nuclear war. Overtly the setting is straight after-the-bomb, but the construction of societies which each have their own strengths and weaknesses is nice, and the overall flow of the stories is well done.
This novel is the best of the series. Williams is a poor creator of setting and character, but the novel moves so gracefully through the plot that many readers will forgive him his failings. The title resonates over and over through events as symmatrical as the huge stone cities of the Pelbar, the one human society in central North America to have continued as an urban civilization.
As a literary engine, this is one of the finest fantastic stories I have ever read. Worth a try. If you like it, try the others.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting overlooked work of SF
Review: This is the fourth and central work of a series about the spiritual and technological rebirth of a future North America wrecked by nuclear war. Overtly the setting is straight after-the-bomb, but the construction of societies which each have their own strengths and weaknesses is nice, and the overall flow of the stories is well done.
This novel is the best of the series. Williams is a poor creator of setting and character, but the novel moves so gracefully through the plot that many readers will forgive him his failings. The title resonates over and over through events as symmatrical as the huge stone cities of the Pelbar, the one human society in central North America to have continued as an urban civilization.
As a literary engine, this is one of the finest fantastic stories I have ever read. Worth a try. If you like it, try the others.