Revolt on Alpha C
Silverberg's first novel, a juvenile sci-fi tale of colonial revolt.
In 1955, Crowell published *Revolt on Alpha C*, the first book by American author Robert Silverberg. This juvenile science fiction novel is set in the year 2363. The main character, Cadet Larry Stark, is a 20-year-old who has just graduated from the Space Patrol Academy. He comes from a family with a long history of Space Patrol commanders. The story begins as Stark embarks on his final training cruise aboard the interstellar ship *Carden*. Upon completing this voyage, he will earn his commission as a Space Patrol officer. The ship travels the 4.5 light-years to Alpha Centauri in 15 days using faster-than-light overdrive. The fourth planet of Alpha C, which resembles Earth and is inhabited by dinosaurs, was colonized 125 years earlier. When Stark arrives, the colonists are voting on whether to declare independence from Earth, possibly through armed conflict. The presence of the *Carden* and its crew could influence the revolution's outcome. For the first time, Stark must decide on a proper and honorable course of action in a situation with no clear right or wrong. His choice could endanger his Space Patrol career and his father's love. One character, Harl Ellison, was named after writer Harlan Ellison, a neighbor of Silverberg's in New York at the time of writing, as confirmed in a special edition marking Silverberg's 35th year in the field. *Galaxy* reviewer Floyd C. Gale called the novel "a fast-moving story ... that I would have liked when I was a youngster," and *Kirkus Reviews* also described it as "fast moving science fiction."
- author
- Robert Silverberg
- published
- 1955
- publisher
- Crowell
- genre
- Juvenile science fiction
- nationality
- American
- notable_as
- Silverberg's first published book
Lore & Background
The novel's protagonist, Cadet Larry Stark, comes from a long line of Space Patrol commanders and is embarking on his final training cruise aboard the interstellar ship Carden. The ship travels from Earth to Alpha Centauri in 15 days using faster-than-light overdrive. Upon arrival at planet IV of Alpha C, an Earth-like world colonized 125 years earlier and inhabited by dinosaurs, Stark finds the colonists voting to declare independence from Earth. For the first time, he must choose a course of action where there is no clear right or wrong, with potential consequences for his career and his father's love.
Reader's Guide
Revolt on Alpha C marks the beginning of Robert Silverberg's long career in science fiction. As his first published book, it established him as a writer of juvenile science fiction, a popular subgenre in the 1950s. The novel's plot, centered on a colonial independence movement and a young cadet's moral crisis, reflects themes common in mid-century science fiction, such as loyalty, authority, and the challenges of interstellar governance. The book received contemporary praise from Galaxy reviewer Floyd C. Gale and Kirkus Reviews, both calling it 'fast moving'. The character Harl Ellison, named after Silverberg's neighbor and fellow writer Harlan Ellison, adds a personal touch to the work. While not a major literary landmark, the novel is significant as the debut of a writer who would become a prominent figure in the field.
Did You Know?
- Revolt on Alpha C was Robert Silverberg's first published book.
- The character Harl Ellison was named after science fiction writer Harlan Ellison, a neighbor of Silverberg in New York.
- The story takes place in the year 2363 on the fourth planet of Alpha Centauri, which has been colonized for 125 years.
- Galaxy reviewer Floyd C. Gale praised the novel as 'a fast-moving story'.
More in Novels by Robert Silverberg 1-24
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