(urth) Short Story 14: Paul's Treehouse

[Darth Ed]

On Apr 6, 2012, at 8:23 PM, Marc Aramini wrote:
> This was first published in 1968 in Orbit.


Actually, it was toward the end of 1969. http://www.isfdb.org/cgi-bin/title.cgi?57390

This story has always struck me as Wolfe's commentary on the '60s. There's a certain helplessness to it and a lack of understanding of what's going on by the adults. It just seems like chaos to them. Only Paul understands what's about to happen because he's younger and more in tune with what's going on, so he's able to prepare for it. Unfortunately, his preparations are ineffective.

I wouldn't say this is one of my favorite Wolfe stories, mainly because I don't see it as being Wolfe at his most insightful. I think Wolfe identifies with the adults more than Paul here.

Later,
Ed

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