How Hiero's Journey Influenced Other Works of Science Fiction and Fantasy
Hiero's Journey PDF Free: How to Download and Read this Classic Sci-Fi Novel
Are you a fan of science fiction novels? Do you love stories that combine adventure, fantasy, and post-apocalyptic themes? If so, you might want to check out Hiero's Journey, a novel by Sterling E. Lanier that was first published in 1973. In this article, we will tell you what Hiero's Journey is about, why it is considered a classic sci-fi novel, and how you can download and read it for free. Let's get started!
Hiero S Journey Pdf Free
Introduction
What is Hiero's Journey?
Hiero's Journey is a novel by Sterling E. Lanier, an American author and editor who was best known for his works of science fiction and fantasy. Lanier was also a friend and admirer of J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of The Lord of the Rings, and he helped to introduce Tolkien's works to the American audience.
Hiero's Journey is Lanier's first novel, and it is set in a distant future where a nuclear war has devastated the Earth. The novel follows the adventures of Per Hiero Desteen, a warrior-priest who lives in a monastery in what used to be Canada. Hiero has a special ability to communicate telepathically with animals, and he is accompanied by his loyal companions: a bear named Klootz and a horse named Gorm.
Hiero sets out on a quest to find a legendary place called the Undying Lands, where he hopes to find ancient knowledge that can help his people survive in the harsh world. Along the way, he encounters various dangers and wonders, such as mutated creatures, psychic powers, ancient relics, and mysterious cults.
Why is Hiero's Journey a classic sci-fi novel?
Hiero's Journey is considered a classic sci-fi novel for several reasons. First of all, it is one of the earliest examples of post-apocalyptic fiction, a genre that explores what happens after a global catastrophe. Lanier was inspired by the Cold War and the threat of nuclear annihilation, and he imagined a world where civilization has collapsed and nature has reclaimed its dominance.
Secondly, Hiero's Journey is also one of the first novels to feature telepathic animals as major characters. Lanier was fascinated by the idea of animal intelligence and communication, and he created a rich and diverse fauna that interacts with humans in various ways. Some animals are allies, some are enemies, and some are neutral. Lanier also gave his animals distinct personalities and cultures that reflect their species.
Thirdly, Hiero's Journey is a novel that blends science fiction and fantasy elements in an original and creative way. Lanier used his knowledge of history, mythology, religion, and anthropology to create a believable and immersive world that has its own rules and logic. He also incorporated elements of adventure, humor, romance, and horror into his story, making it appealing to a wide range of readers.
How to download Hiero's Journey PDF for free?
If you are interested in reading Hiero's Journey, you might be wondering how you can get a copy of it for free. Well, there are several ways to do that, depending on your preference and availability. Here are some of the options:
You can borrow Hiero's Journey from a library. Many libraries have physical copies or digital copies of the novel that you can check out and read. You can use a library card or an online account to access the library's catalog and see if they have the novel in stock.
You can download Hiero's Journey from a free ebook website. There are many websites that offer free ebooks in various formats, such as PDF, EPUB, MOBI, etc. You can search for Hiero's Journey on these websites and download it to your device. However, you should be careful about the quality and legality of these websites, as some of them might contain viruses, malware, or pirated content.
You can read Hiero's Journey online on a free reading website. There are also many websites that allow you to read books online for free, without downloading them. You can browse through these websites and find Hiero's Journey among their collections. However, you should also be aware of the drawbacks of these websites, such as low resolution, limited features, ads, pop-ups, etc.
As you can see, there are several ways to download and read Hiero's Journey PDF for free. However, we recommend that you support the author and the publisher by buying a copy of the novel if you can afford it. You can find Hiero's Journey on various online platforms, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, etc. You can also find other works by Sterling E. Lanier on these platforms.
Main Body
A brief summary of Hiero's Journey
The setting and the characters
Hiero's Journey is set in the 60th century AD, about 4000 years after a nuclear war has destroyed most of civilization and caused widespread mutations and changes in the environment. The novel takes place in North America, which is divided into several regions and factions.
The main protagonist is Per Hiero Desteen, a warrior-priest who belongs to the Abbey of Psalms, a religious order that preserves the remnants of pre-war knowledge and technology. Hiero is also a telepath who can communicate with animals and sense psychic phenomena.
Hiero's main companions are Klootz and Gorm, two animals who are also telepaths and loyal friends of Hiero. Klootz is a black bear who serves as Hiero's mount and protector. Gorm is a bay horse who carries Hiero's supplies and equipment.
Hiero's main enemies are the Unclean, a group of mutated humans who worship evil forces and seek to destroy all life. The Unclean are led by the Dark Brotherhood, a secretive cult that controls powerful weapons and machines from the pre-war era.
The plot and the themes
The plot of Hiero's Journey revolves around Hiero's quest to find the Undying Lands, a mythical place where he hopes to find ancient secrets that can help his people survive and prosper. Along the way, he encounters various challenges and discoveries that test his skills, faith, and morality.
Some of the themes that Lanier explores in his novel are:
The nature of good and evil: Lanier portrays a world where good and evil are not always clear-cut or easy to distinguish. He shows that both sides have their flaws and virtues, and that sometimes they have to cooperate or compromise for a greater good.
The role of religion and science: Lanier depicts a world where religion and science coexist and complement each other. He shows that both have their benefits and limitations, and that both can be used for good or evil purposes.
The value of friendship and loyalty: Lanier illustrates a world where friendship and loyalty are essential for survival and happiness. He shows that both humans and animals can form strong bonds of trust and affection, and that they can overcome their differences and prejudices.
The importance of courage and wisdom: Lanier demonstrates a world where courage and wisdom are necessary for success and fulfillment. He shows that both require facing one's fears and doubts, learning from one's mistakes, and making difficult decisions.
A review of Hiero's Journey
The strengths and weaknesses of the novel
Hiero's Journey is a novel that has many strengths and weaknesses, depending on one's perspective and preference. Here are some of them:
Strengths:
```html Strengths:
The novel has an original and imaginative premise that combines science fiction and fantasy elements in a unique way.
The novel has a fast-paced and engaging plot that keeps the reader interested and entertained.
The novel has a rich and diverse world-building that creates a vivid and realistic picture of the post-apocalyptic setting.
The novel has a memorable and likable cast of characters that have distinct personalities and relationships.
Weaknesses:
The novel has some outdated and stereotypical portrayals of gender, race, and culture that might offend some readers.
The novel has some inconsistent and illogical aspects of the story that might confuse or annoy some readers.
The novel has some excessive and graphic descriptions of violence, sex, and horror that might disturb or disgust some readers.
The novel has some vague and unsatisfying endings of some subplots and characters that might disappoint or frustrate some readers.
The influence and legacy of the novel
Hiero's Journey is a novel that has influenced and inspired many other works of science fiction and fantasy, both in literature and in other media. Here are some of them:
The novel has influenced the genre of post-apocalyptic fiction, especially the subgenre of post-nuclear fiction. It has inspired other authors to create their own visions of a world after a nuclear war, such as Stephen King's The Stand, Cormac McCarthy's The Road, Walter M. Miller Jr.'s A Canticle for Leibowitz, etc.
The novel has influenced the genre of animal fantasy, especially the subgenre of telepathic animal fantasy. It has inspired other authors to create their own stories of humans and animals communicating telepathically, such as Robert A. Heinlein's The Cat Who Walks Through Walls, Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series, Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series, etc.
The novel has influenced the genre of adventure fiction, especially the subgenre of quest fiction. It has inspired other authors to create their own stories of heroes embarking on perilous journeys to find mythical places or objects, such as J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, George R.R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, Terry Brooks' Shannara series, etc.
The novel has influenced other media forms, such as movies, comics, games, etc. It has inspired other creators to adapt or borrow elements from the novel for their own works, such as George Lucas' Star Wars franchise, Frank Miller's 300 comic book series, Bethesda Softworks' Fallout video game series, etc.
Conclusion
A recap of the main points
In conclusion, Hiero's Journey is a classic sci-fi novel by Sterling E. Lanier that was first published in 1973. It is set in a distant future where a nuclear war has devastated the Earth and caused widespread mutations and changes in the environment. It follows the adventures of Per Hiero Desteen, a warrior-priest who can communicate telepathically with animals. He sets out on a quest to find the Undying Lands, where he hopes to find ancient knowledge that can help his people survive in the harsh world. Along the way, he encounters various dangers and wonders, such as mutated creatures, psychic powers, ancient relics, and mysterious cults.
Hiero's Journey is considered a classic sci-fi novel for several reasons. It is one of the earliest examples of post-apocalyptic fiction, one of the first novels to feature telepathic animals as major characters, and a novel that blends science fiction and fantasy elements in an original and creative way. It also explores various themes such as the nature of good and evil, the role of religion and science, the value of friendship and loyalty, and the importance of courage and wisdom.
```html Hiero's Journey is also a novel that has influenced and inspired many other works of science fiction and fantasy, both in literature and in other media. It has inspired other authors to create their own visions of a world after a nuclear war, their own stories of humans and animals communicating telepathically, and their own stories of heroes embarking on perilous journeys to find mythical places or objects. It has also inspired other creators to adapt or borrow elements from the novel for their own works in movies, comics, games, etc.
A call to action for the readers
If you are a fan of science fiction and fantasy novels, you should definitely read Hiero's Journey by Sterling E. Lanier. It is a novel that will take you on an exciting and fascinating adventure in a post-apocalyptic world. It is a novel that will make you think about various topics and issues that are relevant and important in our own world. It is a novel that will entertain you and inspire you with its originality and creativity.
So what are you waiting for? Download Hiero's Journey PDF for free today and start reading this classic sci-fi novel. You won't regret it!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Hiero's Journey:
Is Hiero's Journey a standalone novel or part of a series?
Hiero's Journey is a standalone novel, but it has a sequel called The Unforsaken Hiero, which was published in 1983. The sequel continues the story of Hiero and his companions as they search for the Undying Lands in South America.
Is Hiero's Journey suitable for young readers?
Hiero's Journey is suitable for young readers who are interested in science fiction and fantasy novels, but it might not be appropriate for very young or sensitive readers. The novel contains some scenes and descriptions that might be too violent, sexual, or horrifying for some readers. The novel also uses some language and terms that might be considered offensive or outdated by some readers.
Is Hiero's Journey based on any real events or places?
Hiero's Journey is not based on any real events or places, but it does draw inspiration from various sources of history, mythology, religion, and culture. For example, the Abbey of Psalms is based on the real-life monastic order of the Benedictines, who preserved ancient knowledge and manuscripts during the Dark Ages. The Undying Lands are based on the concept of Valinor from J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, which is a paradise for the immortal elves. The Unclean are based on the concept of Gog and Magog from the Bible, which are evil forces that will attack the righteous at the end of times.
What are some of the symbols and motifs used in Hiero's Journey?
Some of the symbols and motifs used in Hiero's Journey are:
The cross: The cross is a symbol of Christianity and faith in Hiero's Journey. Hiero wears a cross around his neck as a sign of his devotion to God and his mission. The cross also represents the connection between humans and animals, as Hiero uses it to communicate telepathically with Klootz and Gorm.
The sun: The sun is a symbol of life and hope in Hiero's Journey. The sun provides light and warmth to the world, which is otherwise dark and cold after the nuclear war. The sun also represents the goal of Hiero's quest, as he seeks to find the Undying Lands where the sun never sets.
The eye: The eye is a symbol of power and knowledge in Hiero's Journey. The eye represents the ability to see beyond the physical reality and into the spiritual realm. The eye also represents the danger of corruption and evil, as the Dark Brotherhood uses an eye as their emblem and seeks to control everything with their psychic powers.
What are some of the lessons and messages that can be learned from Hiero's Journey?
Some of the lessons and messages that can be learned from Hiero's Journey are:
The lesson of resilience: Hiero's Journey teaches us that we can overcome any adversity or challenge with courage and determination. Even when faced with a world that has been destroyed by war and mutation, Hiero does not give up on his quest or his values. He fights for what he believes in and strives to make the world a better place.
The message of harmony: Hiero's Journey shows us that we can live in harmony with nature and other beings, regardless of our differences or backgrounds. Hiero respects and cares for the animals and plants that he encounters, and he learns from their wisdom and experience. He also cooperates and communicates with other humans and factions, even when they have conflicting interests or beliefs.
The lesson of balance: Hiero's Journey reminds us that we need to balance our use of religion and science, as both have their advantages and disadvantages. Religion can provide us with guidance and comfort, but it can also lead to fanaticism and intolerance. Science can provide us with knowledge and progress, but it can also lead to destruction and exploitation. We need to use both wisely and responsibly.
71b2f0854b