The Worshippers By: Damon Francis Knight (1922-2002)
In his novel, Damon Francis Knight explores the darkest depths of human obsession and the dangerous consequences it can provoke. Intriguing and thought-provoking, The Worshippers offers a unique perspective on the power dynamics that unfold between individuals driven by a shared belief system. Set in a small town, Knight introduces us to a group of enigmatic individuals drawn together by an all-consuming devotion. The portrayal of each character's psyche is skillfully detailed, allowing readers to glimpse the complexities that lie beneath their seemingly normal facades. As the group's ties deepen, so does their devotion, blurring the boundaries between religion, power, and personal relationships. One of the most compelling aspects of this novel is the exploration of how blind faith can turn ordinary people into zealous followers, creating a sense of foreboding and unpredictability throughout the story. Knight captures the vulnerability, susceptibility, and transformation of his characters with a perceptive and sympathetic touch, making their actions all the more chilling. The pacing of the narrative is well-crafted, keeping readers engaged from beginning to end. The author artfully builds suspense as the story unfolds, maintaining an air of tension and unease. Knight's prose is elegant and evocative, providing vivid descriptions that bring the town and its inhabitants to life, while also allowing readers to delve into the conflicted minds of the worshippers. Despite the compelling storyline, there are moments where the plot loses its momentum, leading to a slight break in the otherwise impeccable flow of the narrative. Additionally, some readers might find themselves wanting a deeper exploration of certain characters or subplots, as they felt either underdeveloped or unresolved. Nevertheless, The Worshippers is an intriguing exploration of the human psyche, offering a stark cautionary tale about the dangers of fanaticism and the blind following of any belief system. Damon Francis Knight masterfully weaves together themes of faith, power, and human relationships to create a compelling and thought-provoking novel that will linger in readers' minds long after the final page is turned. First Page: THE WORSHIPPERS BY DAMON KNIGHT ILLUSTRATED BY EMSH Destiny reached out a hand to Algernon Weaver but he was a timid man, at first. But on the strange world of Terranova, there was much to be learned of destiny, and other things.... It was a very different thing, Algernon Weaver decided, actually to travel in space. When you read about it, or thought about it in terms of what you read, it was more a business of going from one name to another. Algol to Sirius. Aldebaran to Epsilon Ceti. You read the names, and the descriptions that went with them, and the whole thing although breathtaking in concept, of course, when you really stopped to meditate on it became rather ordinary and prosaic and somehow more understandable. Not that he had ever approved. No. He had that, at least, to look back upon; he had seen the whole enterprise as pure presumption, and had said so. Often. The heavens were the heavens, and Earth was Earth. It would have been better much better for all concerned if it had been left that way. He had held that opinion, he reminded himself gratefully, from the very beginning, when it was easy to think otherwise. Afterward, of course when the first star ships came back with the news that space was aswarm with creatures who did not even resemble Man, and had never heard of him, and did not think much of him when they saw him... Continue reading book >>

The Worshippers By: Damon Francis Knight (1922-2002)

In his novel, Damon Francis Knight explores the darkest depths of human obsession and the dangerous consequences it can provoke. Intriguing and thought-provoking, The Worshippers offers a unique perspective on the power dynamics that unfold between individuals driven by a shared belief system.

Set in a small town, Knight introduces us to a group of enigmatic individuals drawn together by an all-consuming devotion. The portrayal of each character's psyche is skillfully detailed, allowing readers to glimpse the complexities that lie beneath their seemingly normal facades. As the group's ties deepen, so does their devotion, blurring the boundaries between religion, power, and personal relationships.

One of the most compelling aspects of this novel is the exploration of how blind faith can turn ordinary people into zealous followers, creating a sense of foreboding and unpredictability throughout the story. Knight captures the vulnerability, susceptibility, and transformation of his characters with a perceptive and sympathetic touch, making their actions all the more chilling.

The pacing of the narrative is well-crafted, keeping readers engaged from beginning to end. The author artfully builds suspense as the story unfolds, maintaining an air of tension and unease. Knight's prose is elegant and evocative, providing vivid descriptions that bring the town and its inhabitants to life, while also allowing readers to delve into the conflicted minds of the worshippers.

Despite the compelling storyline, there are moments where the plot loses its momentum, leading to a slight break in the otherwise impeccable flow of the narrative. Additionally, some readers might find themselves wanting a deeper exploration of certain characters or subplots, as they felt either underdeveloped or unresolved.

Nevertheless, The Worshippers is an intriguing exploration of the human psyche, offering a stark cautionary tale about the dangers of fanaticism and the blind following of any belief system. Damon Francis Knight masterfully weaves together themes of faith, power, and human relationships to create a compelling and thought-provoking novel that will linger in readers' minds long after the final page is turned.

First Page:

THE WORSHIPPERS

BY DAMON KNIGHT

ILLUSTRATED BY EMSH

Destiny reached out a hand to Algernon Weaver but he was a timid man, at first. But on the strange world of Terranova, there was much to be learned of destiny, and other things....

It was a very different thing, Algernon Weaver decided, actually to travel in space. When you read about it, or thought about it in terms of what you read, it was more a business of going from one name to another. Algol to Sirius. Aldebaran to Epsilon Ceti. You read the names, and the descriptions that went with them, and the whole thing although breathtaking in concept, of course, when you really stopped to meditate on it became rather ordinary and prosaic and somehow more understandable.

Not that he had ever approved. No. He had that, at least, to look back upon; he had seen the whole enterprise as pure presumption, and had said so. Often. The heavens were the heavens, and Earth was Earth. It would have been better much better for all concerned if it had been left that way.

He had held that opinion, he reminded himself gratefully, from the very beginning, when it was easy to think otherwise. Afterward, of course when the first star ships came back with the news that space was aswarm with creatures who did not even resemble Man, and had never heard of him, and did not think much of him when they saw him... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Literature
Science

eBook links
Wikipedia – Damon Francis Knight
Wikipedia – The Worshippers

eBook Downloads
ePUB eBook • iBooks for iPhone and iPad • Nook • Sony Reader	Kindle eBook • Mobi file format for Kindle
Read eBook • Load eBook in browser	Text File eBook • Computers • Windows • Mac