West of Eden

Infobox Book |
name = West of Eden
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = Original paperback cover for "West of Eden"
author = Harry Harrison
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series = "Eden" trilogy
genre = Novel, Science fiction, Alternate history
publisher =
release_date = 1984
media_type = Print (Hardback & Paperback)
pages =
isbn =
preceded_by = None
followed_by = "Winter in Eden"

"West of Eden" is a 1984 science fiction novel by Harry Harrison.

Overview

In the Earth that exists in this novel, the asteroid that struck Earth 65 million years ago causing the mass extinction level event which wiped-out most of the reptiloids never happened, leaving the way clear for an intelligent dinosaur species to eventually evolve from the mosasaur branch (this is an error by the author, as mosasaurs are not dinosaurs but a species of reptile related to the modern monitor lizards, meaning that Yilane are not dinosaur-people but lizard-people).

These lizard-people are known as the "Yilané", who become the dominant lifeform on most of the planet. During their evolutionary process, the species became non-viable on the two American continents, leaving them free of "Yilané" for millions of years.

Humanity, however, evolved there (and only there), and by the time the novel begins have reached a late stone age level of technology and culture.

The "Yilané" have a very advanced society, which is primarily based on a mastery of the biological sciences, especially genetic engineering, so much so that almost every tool and artifact they use is a modified lifeform. Their boats were originally squids, their submarines are enhanced ichthyosaurs (here called "uruketos"), and their guns are evolved monitor lizards which eject projectiles using pressurised gas.

The "Yilané" are a matriarchal society. The females control all political, military, and scientific aspects of the culture and keep the males segregated. Males are primarily poets and artisans, and enjoy dull, pampered lifestyles, but repeated matings will kill them, so they are very wary of the females. The "Yilané" language is incredibly complex, based on both sounds and body movements, and a key factor in social status among females is how well the language is mastered.

Plot

The story revolves around the eventual discovery of the American continents by the "Yilanè", who are searching for new resources and territories (being reptiloid, and thus cold-blooded, they prefer to live in tropical and sub-tropical zones).

Eventually, of course, they encounter the human race, whom they regard as barely sentient animals. Humans, in their turn, are xenophobically terrified of the "Yilanè", and it is not long before a state of conflict exists between the two species.

The central characters are Vaintè, an ambitious "Yilanè"; Stallan, her vicious and obedient adjutant; and Kerrick, a "ustouzou" (the "Yilanè" word for mammal) who is captured by the reptiloids as a boy, raised as a "Yilanè", and eventually escapes to rejoin his own people, becoming a leader. Another notable character is Enge, who leads a faction of pacifist "Yilanè" who reject the militaristic and violent attitudes of other "Yilanè", especially Vaintè, and who befriends Kerrick while he lives with the "Yilanè".

Notes

The story continues in two sequels, "Winter in Eden" and "Return to Eden".

The title is a play on "East of Eden", the John Steinbeck novel about social injustice, whose title is itself a play on the concept of the Cain's flight East of Eden after murdering his brother Abel. He departs to the Land of Nod.Fact|date=March 2008

The title can also be seen as a reference to the book of Genesis. Adam and Eve are driven east out of the Garden of Eden. Being "west of eden" then, is a reference to the counterhistorical premise of the novel.Fact|date=March 2008

External links

* [http://www.iol.ie/~carrollm/hh/n25-1.htm West of Eden page] on Official website