The Riots of Edaris Pelu
The most famous and popular of the novels by Tal Mapre.
He started writing it during The Great War, after he'd deserted from the Nagri forces, and successfully defected to Thieis. For the first couple of months in Thieis, Tal was held in a safe house outside Dot Clyr, and had very little to do between the sessions during which he was debriefed, so he started writing, just to pass the time.
The novel tells the story of how he met two time travelers from the future, who saved him from being shot to death by the brutal Security Police, on a day when there were riots in Edaris Pelu, just before the Great War. It’s the inclusion of the time travelers that makes people categorize the work as a science fiction novel, rather than based on actual events. Though the riots happened as Tal describe them, on that day. The government of Nagri refuse to admit the riots took place, though.
He started writing it during The Great War, after he'd deserted from the Nagri forces, and successfully defected to Thieis. For the first couple of months in Thieis, Tal was held in a safe house outside Dot Clyr, and had very little to do between the sessions during which he was debriefed, so he started writing, just to pass the time.
The novel tells the story of how he met two time travelers from the future, who saved him from being shot to death by the brutal Security Police, on a day when there were riots in Edaris Pelu, just before the Great War. It’s the inclusion of the time travelers that makes people categorize the work as a science fiction novel, rather than based on actual events. Though the riots happened as Tal describe them, on that day. The government of Nagri refuse to admit the riots took place, though.
Purpose
To tell the story of how Tal went from being a student in Edaris Pelu, constantly in fear for his life, to being drafted into the army for a war he thought was wrong, and finally making it to Thieis and be able to be openly gay there and find love. All while entertaining the reader and slightly fictionalizing the story.
Document Structure
References
It references the opera Cupbearer to the Gods in several instances throughout the book, as being the favorite opera of both the author and his protagonist alter ego.
Publication Status
It’s a well known novel, which has been released in many new editions since the original publication, in print, audiobooks and e-books and audio drama. It’s been translated into every language on the planet where it was written. In Thieis it’s considered a classic, whereas in Nagri it’s banned.
Historical Details
Background
It describes some of the gross human rights violations that the Nagri government perpetrated against its own people, to subjugate them, and their brutal treatment of demonstrators on the day most of the story of the novel takes place during.
History
Archeologists found an Ark Ship on the island of Sew Bli and Nagri laid siege of the island with their entire fleet. The Emperor of Nagri issued a statement demanding that the archeologists admit that the find was a hoax to discredit the "historical facts" that all life of the universe originated in Nagri. They arranged for the demonstrations to take place to help identify and dispose of dissidents in their own population. A few days later The Great War started.
Public Reaction
It was an instant success, with the novel ending up on the bestseller lists and the writer went on a book signing tour and appeared on talk shows. The Nagri government made an official protest, demanding that the author to be prosecuted for libel. The rest of the world calmly pointed out that Nagri had just lost a world war, which they started, over an archeological find, and were in no position to make demands about a work of fiction.
Legacy
It’s a beloved classic which tends to be popular in book clubs, especially in the gay community. There have been a few attempts to make movies, or limited TV series based on it, but none has gone into production yet.
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