The courts of Jamshyd

"The Courts of Jamshyd" by Robert F. Young is a speculative fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. Set in a dystopian world marked by scarcity and decay, the book delves into themes of survival, memory, and the cyclical nature of human existence. It reflects on the lives of a small tribe struggling against a backdrop of a barren landscape, searching for food and facing the remnants of a once-thriving civilization. The story centers on Ryan, the youngest male of his tribe, as he grapples with hunger and his feelings for Merium, a young woman among them. Set against the ritual of a Dance that evokes memories of a lost, vibrant past, Ryan's internal conflict plays out amidst the tribe's efforts to gather food and water in a harsh environment. As the Dance unfolds, a blend of anger and desperation propels Ryan to confront the realities of their ancestors' actions, who turned the living land to dust. Through a progression of chants and movements, the tribe reflects on their history, the destructive legacy left by their forebears, and the hope of reclaiming a sense of strength and unity that has long evaded them. The novel ultimately explores the struggle for identity and meaning in a world where survival hinges on confronting the past. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Franklin Young was an American science fiction writer born in Silver Creek, New York. Except for the three and a half years he served in the Pacific Theatre during World War II, he spent most of his life in New York State. He owned a property on Lake Erie.