In a post-apocalyptic, post-technological society where mankind has declined to barbarism, a potato farmer sets his heart on the legend of "The Place of Going To The Stars", as written on scraps of paper (now a scarce resource) in a speculative history.

Not one of Simak's best. From the off, there is a lot of suspension of disbelief required of the reader for the setting, but given the more mystical/Wizard-of-Oz-esque narrative style, I was willing to go along with it. For a while it's a plodding, but cosy read. Simak's prose and dialogue can range from clunky and stilted to beautiful and literary. Here it's a real hodge-podge.

The whole thing was clinging to a solid 3-star cliff edge for much of the way and then had its fingers crushed by the colossal exposition dump in the last act, sending it tumbling down into the depths of an unforgiving rating. The quality drop is so steep that it was tempting to give this 1 star, but that would be disproportionate to my enjoyment early on, so here's a generous "2".

All I have left to read of Simak is from his later years, and I don't think much from this period is thought of very highly. I am optimistically hoping there's some underrated gold to find still, as I persevere in my quest for completion. ( )

A miles de años en el futuro, cuando los casi indestructibles cráneos de los destruidos robots alfombran los bosques del continente americano, Tom Cushing emprende una búsqueda. Parte en dirección al oeste para hallar el fabuloso Lugar de ir a las estrellas. Allá residen los extraños artefactos de otros mundos que sus antepasados habían traído consigo antes de la catástrofe que devolvió a los humanos a una vida semisalvaje sin ninguna clase de tecnología... La misión de Tom es recuperar el conocimiento perdido y la herencia de la vieja civilización.

Interesting book that shows a future over 1500 years after the collapse of civilization and one man's attempt to restart it. This is very much a product of it's times (early 1970's), where people were attempting to come to grasps with the rapid technological changes happening in the world. Definitely not the most action-packed book that I've ever read, and I'm not sure that I agree with the central premise ((not a spoiler!) that mankind eventually rebels so thoroughly against technology that all tech is destroyed, to the extent that even pages are ripped from the few remaining books that might've otherwise helped rebuild society), but it was definitely thought-provoking.
This is only the second Simak novel that I've read (the other one - [b:The Visitors|191003|The Visitors|Clifford D. Simak|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1203026235s/191003.jpg|2381578] - was read while I was in high school over 30 years ago), although I've read some short stories of his. I think that I'll seek out others of his. ( )

When I read a Simak story, I imagine the following scene. Clifford and I are seated in rocking chairs on a large wraparound porch, at a rustic log cabin deep in the Wisconsin woods. He has a piece of grass that’s gone to seed in the corner of his mouth. It’s past dusk and we’ve just finished a fine dinner of venison and root vegetables. A wisp of smoke rises from the stone chimney, as Clifford likes to keep a modest fire burning continuously. You can smell the fire in the air along with the earthy and musty scents of the deep forest. A guitar and a shotgun lean against the cabin behind us. I ask Clifford to tell me another tale. He refuses at first, but after some requisite pleading, he begrudgingly agrees. As he tells the tale, first the forest, then the cabin dissolve and the story plays out all around us . . .

“When it came to hope, you do not write off even the faintest hope of all. You held on to every hope; you cherish all, you let none get away.”

This is not Simak’s best book. It’s not in the top five. I’m sure many would dislike it as it has some flaws. But I enjoyed its leisurely pace and Simak’s trademark ability to evoke nostalgia. It reminds me of his ‘Cemetery World,’ as both stories have a similar structure of introducing a set of mysteries, then following an odd cast of characters as they journey to the answers. For me, the best parts are the travels through nature as Simak is at his best describing the Midwest wilderness. His love of nature shines through his prose. The story is set thousands of years in the future on a post-apocalyptic earth. All technology has been destroyed and mankind is in a dark age with scattered settlements and roaming bands of barbarians. The beginning of the tale does indeed establish some mystery and wonder and provides the curiosity to carry us through a subdued wilderness journey, where the main character picks up a band of odd fellow travelers along the way. It delighted me that the University where I teach (University of Minnesota), plays a key role in the tale. It’s not only the last remaining University, but possible the last remaining stronghold of intellectuals and cache of knowledge. However, I wasn’t impressed with Simak’s character building in this book as some of the characters border on silly. The ending is rich with ideas and provides plenty of closure, but it’s abrupt and more telling than show. The book begins and ends with large sections of exposition that first explain the world-building and at the end, explain the resolution of the mysteries. But a passage at the end of Chapter 15 might sum it up best: “It doesn’t matter, laddie boy,” she told him. “It’s been a lovely trip.”

I love the serenity and melancholy that Simak educes. I enjoy his descriptions of nature. I like the questions he asks and appreciate his storytelling skill. A wonder-filled adventure, set in a relatively tame post-apocalyptic future, where the journey exceeds the destination. Three and a half stars. ( )

Dystopian future

Interesting mix of travelers trying to save humanity. Not a "solved" story, which I liked. I'll be reading more Simak. ( )