Hiero's Journey

by Sterling Lanier

This is another book I read long ago, and wish I could find another copy now. I don't know what happened to the old mass-market paperback I used to have. It's a post-apocalyptic adventure story; in a future America where nearly everything has been destroyed, the population has dwindled, and there are mutated mostrous animals (and people) everywhere. (Something like Ariel, methinks). The hero is both a religious priest and a explorer. He has telepathic powers and uses them to communicate with the moose he rides on, and his black bear companion. I thought the idea of a moose for a mount fantastic! So they all go off on a quest into the wilderness to find some needed technology. I don't remember if they ever found it, just the plethora of wild adventures, imaginary creatures, battles (both physical and mental- with the telepathy) and if I remember rightly there was a girl in there somewhere, too. The characters of the animals stand out to me, I don't remember much about the aspect of him being a priest, though.

There's a sequel called The Unforsaken Hiero which looks so familiar I feel sure I used to have a copy of that, as well. But I don't think I ever read it. Now I wish I had. It looks good, too. Anyone read either of these?

Rating: 3/5 ......... ? pages, 1973

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