Deluge (novel)

Background

Wright composed Deluge while working as an accountant. Unable to sell his story to a commercial publisher, Wright opted to self-publish Deluge after noting the positive reception garnered from his previous novel, The Amphibians. Previously, Wright had focused on writing poetry, helping to found the Empire Poetry League. Prior to Deluge, Wright had little experience in writing science fiction novels, though Wright was always known to have an interest in the genre.

Reception

Deluge became a bestseller upon release. There were very few copies in circulation initially, as Wright had produced a limited amount through his personal publishing house. However, the positive reception received by Deluge attracted the attention of Cosmopolitan Book Corporation, which allowed for mass production of the novel. Deluge was Wright's first popular novel and granted him considerable financial success. Storm Jameson praised Deluge on its original publication in the magazine London Calling, comparing Deluge to Cicely Hamilton's post-holocaust novel Theodore Savage. Edward Shanks, reviewing Deluge in the London Mercury, also lauded the book. Clemence Dane, discussing Deluge in the women's magazine Eve: The Lady's Pictorial, praised Deluge and compared it to After London by Richard Jefferies. Not all reception was positive, as Wright noted in a following edition of Deluge. Certain reviewers suggested Wright was "full of prejudices" in his writing. Others criticized Wright for his one dimensional female character development. However, most considered the book to be a brilliant work of science fiction.

A sequel to Deluge, Dawn, was completed in 1929, though it was not as well received.

Themes

Deluge criticizes contemporary civilization and class systems. In the novel, modern civilization is dissolved, and Deluge depicts this new, less advanced society as noble, admirable, and natural rather than savage, contending futuristic comforts are unrealistic and ultimately inherently corrupt societal goals. This theme was an argument against many science fiction authors at the time, as writers like H.G. Wells suggested scientific advancement was positive and ultimately a necessity. The book also suggests humans cooperate better in a more simplified society.

Influence

Deluge was of great inspiration to future science fiction writers John Wyndham and John Christopher. Deluge influenced Storm Jameson's novel of a Britain devastated by floods, The World Ends (1937, using the pseudonym William Lamb).

Notes

References

1. "The Books Of S. Fowler Wright". S.FW.
2. Stableford, Brian. "Foreword Written by Brian Stableford for S. Fowler Wright's Short Stories." Accessed January 25, 2015. http://www.sfw.org.uk/bsforeword.shtml
3. "Sydney Fowler Wright - Founder of the Empire Poetry League".
4. [[Brian Stableford]], "Introduction" to ''Deluge'', Wesleyan University Press, 2003 {{ISBN. 0819566608, (p. i-lviii).
5. "Deluge". S.FW.
6. "Brian Stableford Foreword".