1981 Niourk - Roman De Stefan Wul (Gallimard). Price tag inside cover French texts
*Niourk* by Stefan Wul, originally published in 1957, is a French science fiction novel set in a post-apocalyptic future. It explores themes of environmental collapse, human evolution, and societal decay. The story revolves around a young boy from a primitive tribe who embarks on a journey through a desolate, ruined Earth, searching for knowledge and understanding of the world that once was.
As the boy ventures from his tribal existence into a strange and broken world, he discovers the remnants of an advanced civilization and uncovers profound secrets about humanity's past and its future. Along the way, he encounters mutated creatures, abandoned cities, and mysterious technologies, gradually evolving both physically and intellectually.
*Niourk* stands out for its richly imagined dystopian setting, blending adventure and philosophical reflection. Wul’s writing is atmospheric, often focusing on the contrasts between nature and the remnants of human civilization. The novel touches on existential themes, questioning the fate of humanity, the consequences of technological excess, and the resilience of the human spirit in a world that has been utterly transformed.
It’s a compact, thought-provoking narrative, and its influence on French science fiction is significant.
