(Found) Trying to find a very old sci-fi book / short-story my dad read

[Tamman1969]

Hi all

Great to see a site and forum like this exists! Took a while to find a good one.

My dad died in February this year, we shared an enjoyment of good sci-fi and fantasy books and I passed many of mine over to him as I was growing up.

He used to reminisce about a story he could not remember well, but had obviously touched him in some way in his early days.

All I can tell you of the plot was that it involved a tribe/village of humans that were underground, perhaps in caves. They were in pitch black conditions and found their way around their environment by clicking stones together and listening to the echoes for navigation.

And that's all! I know it is a long shot, but if anybody has a clue I would be extremely grateful, would love to read a book that touched his life in some way.

In the meantime I will trawl these lists and see if I can help anybody in a more modern context!

Many thanks

Tamman1969

 

[chrispenycate]

Daniel Galouye "Dark Universe"? Subgroup who'd mutated to have infra-red vision? (yes, I do know the physics contradicting that.) Published 1961.

 

[Tamman1969]

My friend you have no idea how happy you have made me, and the size of the grin on my face : ) Thank you so very much. I really thought this was a long-shot.

I've taken a browse for synopsis and I cannot see how you can be wrong.

The survivors of a nuclear holocaust are living in an underground shelter where the lighting has failed. They have developed a religion which explains what light is, and look forward to the day of the reunion. In the meantime they have adapted to the dark and navigate by the use of "clickstones" which provide them with a sort of sonar.

Ticks all the boxes and indeed reminded me of a few extra details that I had forgotten.

I've found me a nice first edition for around £25 online and will be watching the post box eagerly.

My sincerest thanks again.

Tamman1969

PS. Had to take a profile look, sounds an interesting job you have! I used to do sound for my local theatre, also wrote PC game music professionally for 2 years as well as performing on stage. Still have a home 'studio' and a junkie attitude to collecting instruments : )

 

[chrispenycate]

Winces I read it when it first came out, and I think it cost me half a crown.

And it left a deep enough impression that I only had to look up how to spell "Galouye"; but I can't remember the verb for "to see in inra-red"

The job suits me just fine, but it's not conducive for raising a family, or being owned by a pet for that matter; it's not fot just anyone.

Which suits me fine, too.

 

[Tamman1969]

I will report the verb as soon as Mr Postie turns up, looking forwards to it. Or is it forward, I never did look that one up.

Anyway, by all accounts seems a much loved tome by those that have read it. Shame I didn't think of the idea last year.