Ravage (novel)

Ravage is a science fiction novel written by René Barjavel, set in 2052 France. It was first published in 1943 by Denoël. The English title is Ashes, ashes. Ravage has been included on many "all-time" best lists, including Annick Beguin's Les 100 principaux titres de la science-fiction.

Plot

In the storyline, a civilization much more advanced than ours falls to its knees when electricity suddenly disappears. Chaos, disease, and famine ensue, which readers witness through the adventures of a small group of survivors led by François Deschamps. The group leaves Paris and starts a journey toward Provence where the survivors will create a new patriarchal society with Deschamps as their leader.

Critics

This novel is considered as a reference in science-fiction in the following books :

• Annick Beguin, Les 100 principaux titres de la science-fiction, Cosmos 2000, 1981;
• Jacques Sadoul, Anthologie de la littérature de science-fiction, Ramsay, 1981;
• Science-fiction. La bibliothèque idéale, Albin Michel, 1988;
• Lorris Murail, Les Maîtres de la science-fiction, Bordas, coll. « Compacts », 1993;
• Stan Barets, Le science-fictionnaire, Denoël, coll. « Présence du futur », 1994;

External links

• Summary of the novel (in French language)
• Review of the novel (in French language)