A strange assortment of humans and otherworldly beings joins a young
soldier of God on his perilous quest through an alternate,
technology-free reality ruled by an all-powerful Evil.
In an alternate world where the Dark Ages never ended, "the Evil" that
arises every 500 years has prevented all manner of technological
advancement, even well into the 20th century.
The son of a powerful English noble, young Duncan Standish has always
longed to be a soldier of the Lord, and now he's been offered a rare
opportunity to fulfill his dream. Entrusted with the delivery of an
ancient manuscript - purported to be irrefutable evidence of the
existence of Jesus Christ - to a noted Oxenford scholar, Duncan must
journey many perilous miles in the company of a motley group of fellow
travelers, including a goblin, a ghost, and other magical and nonmagical
companions. But the road they traverse together is fraught with terrible
trials that would test even the most devout, for the Evil is strong in
this place of dark wonders.
Multiple Hugo, Nebula, and Locus Award winner and SFWA Grand Master
Clifford D. Simak moves easily from science fiction to quest fantasy in
this enthralling tale of magic, peril, and discovery on an Earth that
never was. Rich in color, thrills, and wild invention, and populated by
a highly original and unforgettable cast of characters, Fellowship of
the Talisman showcases the author's peerless storytelling skills,
demonstrating once again that the great Simak had few equals in the
realm of 20th-century speculative fiction.
