| Farnam's Freehold is about a family plus several others who are too near a spectacular explosion when a “Pearl Harbor” nuclear attack occurs. Instead of being annihilated, they are transported into a different time line where the world is ruled by cannibalistic Blacks. Whites and several other races are relegated to slavery and near obscurity. Slavery is not limited to Whites and other races – some Blacks are also slaves.
Hugh Farnam is head of the house. He's believed that an attack was almost inevitable and has gotten ready for it by setting up a shelter in his basement. His son disagreed with him and this is one of the reasons they are almost estranged. His wife is a drunk and his daughter is home from college. Her girl friend, a slightly older college student, is visiting her at the Farnam household when war breaks out. The Farnam's “servant,” a young Black man, is also transported, as is the family cat (Dr. Livingston I Presume). After their initial surprise at surviving, they receive a further shock when there is no evidence of the attack outside their shelter. The Earth hasn't changed but no man-made evidence of Hugh's world ever existed here. Given the circumstances (Hugh thinks they may be the only humans alive), he is pleased to discover his daughter's pregnant by someone unrelated to them. Having lived apart (sexually) from his wife for several years, Hugh is drawn to his daughter's friend. Again, given the circumstances, they fall in love and she also becomes pregnant. His daughter dies shortly after giving birth and her child shortly follows her in death. They are making the best life they can when they are suddenly discovered by the Blacks and taken into the household of an important person in the service of Uncle the Mighty. The Blacks have vehicles and weapons which are different from and possibly superior to what Hugh's used to, but he has something they don't possess – knowledge, both in his mind and in the books he has saved. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - very upbeat - FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story Explore/1st contact/ enviro story Yes Time Travel: - largely forwards/future Explore: Repressive society story Yes Repressive because: Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Time Travel story? Yes Who's a slave/repressed? - humans are slaves of other humans Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - 40's-50's Main Adversary Identity: - an entire race Profession/status: How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - an above average amount How sensitive is this character? Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor Intelligence - Average intelligence Setting Earth setting: - medium future 22-24th century Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment scientific jargon? (SF only) - some scientific explanation Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - vague references only How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript |
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