Of the City of the Saved...
| Author | Philip Purser-Hallard |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Steve Johnson |
| Language | English |
| Series | Faction Paradox |
| Genre | Science Fiction |
| Publisher | Mad Norwegian Press |
Publication date | 2004 |
| Publication place | US |
| Media type | Print (Trade Paperback) |
| Pages | 256 pp |
| ISBN | 0-9725959-4-5 |
| OCLC | 56589181 |
| Preceded by | This Town Will Never Let Us Go |
| Followed by | Warlords of Utopia |
Of the City of the Saved... is an original novel by Philip Purser-Hallard set in the Faction Paradox universe[1][2]. Although taking place in a shared universe, it is a stand-alone work that does not require any prior knowledge. Laura Tobin, who first appeared in the BBC Doctor Who books, is a major character in the novel.
The full title, as given on the title page, is Of the City of the Saved... of its diverse citizenry and of its sundry divinities, with a disquisition on the protocols of history. The novel won Best Book in the 2004 Jade Pagoda awards, voted on by members of a Doctor Who book mailing list.[3]. It has been described as 'a stunning debut from Purser-Hallard and easily one of the best Doctor Who-related original novels published to date'[4].
Plot introduction
Beyond the end of the universe exists a city the size of a galaxy. Within it every human being that ever lived, from the first australopithecine to the last posthuman, has been inexplicably resurrected. For three hundred years, the uncountable inhabitants have enjoyed their unaging and invulnerable second lives. But now, the unthinkable has happened. Someone has been murdered.
Continuity
The City of the Saved was introduced in The Book of the War, and is the setting of Purser-Hallard's forthcoming story in the Obverse Books anthology Faction Paradox: A Romance in Twelve Parts. In addition to multiple references in the later Faction Paradox volumes, the novel was referenced in the then current Doctor Who novel range, where The Gallifrey Chronicles by Lance Parkin suggests that the City is part of the same project of reconstruction as the restoration of the Doctor's home planet Gallifrey[5].
Cultural references
The science fiction author Philip K. Dick appears as a character in the novel. The concept behind the book - with the entirety of the human race resurrected in practically immortal bodies - bears some resemblance to the Riverworld books of Philip José Farmer.
References
External links
- Mad Norwegian Press page for the book
- Author's pages about the book, including extensive notes, deleted scenes and unofficial illustrations.
- Official Preview to the novel.
- Template:Doctor Who RG