Fugue for a Darkening Island

Fugue for a Darkening Island - revised, expanded, 2011Published: Gollancz, 2011. ISBN 978-0-575-09820-6 [paperback £7.99; pp.196]. First published in hardcover by Faber, 1972. Previous pb was a joint publication with Inverted World (as “Omnibus 2” – Earthlight). Also available in translation. US title: Darkening Island.

CP’s second novel, now revised, expanded and with a new Foreword. In its day Fugue was thought of as a modern version of the familiar ‘British catastrophe’ science fiction novel, but subsequent world events have given the story a sinister topicality. Tragic refugees escaping political and military upheaval at home are now all too frequently seeking asylum elsewhere. In Fugue, survivors of a terrible African war flee their blighted continent, and look for refuge in the countries of the West.