Downward to the Earth by Robert Silverberg

 

    Downward to the Earth by Robert Silverberg and was published in 1970. It is a beautiful book about a man's journey to transcendence on a planet formerly colonized by Earth. The title, Downward to the Earth, is a reference to the Bible verse found in Ecclesiastes 3:21, 

"Who knows if the spirit of people rises upward, and the spirit of animals goes downward to the earth?"

     In the future, Earth will colonize planets similarly to how the 19th Century European Imperial Powers did in Africa and Asia. Humans will name the planets after the human founder and name the rivers and mountains on these planets not caring about what the local sentient species call them. The planet this novel takes place on was called Holman's Planet by humans. The main species on the planet were sentient elephant-like aliens called Nildoror and an ape looking species called Sulidor. At first, humans treated the Nildoror and the Sulidor like lower lifeforms, but then they realized that these aliens were sapient and could communicate in their own language, had their own culture and religion. Humans gave the planet back to the Nildoror with only a few humans remaining on the planet. The humans respected the local aliens’ wish to call the planet Belzagor.

    Edmund Gunderson was a former colonial administrator who lived on Belzagor for years and left to return to Earth. He felt guilty for the way he treated the Nildoror like they were beasts of burden rather than beings with feelings and desires. He returned wishing to atone for his sins by going through a Nildoror Rebirthing Ceremony, a secret ceremony held in a specific place rarely seen by humans. He must journey there with the permission of the Nildoror who gave him permission to ride on their backs. He first meets up with a group of human tourists who treat the Nildoror like animals and see the planet as a place for their entertainment. They didn't respect the Nildoror and were not curious beyond taking pictures of exotic places on the planet. Gunderson separates from the tourists and journeys with the Nildoror stopping to check up on what happened to the friends left behind on Belzagor before going to the rebirth ceremony. He makes disturbing discoveries along the way but continues to his goal. 

    Will he be able to atone for his sins? What is the secret of Belzagor?

    At first the book appeared to be about post colonialism and the affects colonialism has on the native population. The buildings left behind by humans are slowly decaying as the Nildoror have no use for them and do not have the appendages necessary to have advanced technology. The book challenges you not to judge the aliens and try to understand their point of view. The themes of post-colonialism are there but the story really becomes about man's atonement and perfection. The journey Gunderson takes is strenuous and heart breaking. He must not only deal with physical challenges, but emotional challenges as he revisits old friends and sees the horror of what they lived through after the Terran powers left. Tension builds as we are not sure if Edward will accomplish his goals of atonement and about man's place in the universe. 

    Downward to the Earth is philosophical and literary, inspired by the book Heart of Darkness. The book asks questions about the consequences of colonizing other planets. Is technological advancement a human idea? Should we impose technological advancement on other lifeforms or human cultures? What separates humans from the animals? The book also discusses atonement and repentance. Are we willing to look at our own sinfulness? 

    Not only was the book thoughtful, but it was an adventure! Silverberg made the planet feel real to the point I want to visit it and be one of those annoying tourists he parodies. The different landscapes and local animals are interesting and alien. 

This book cover depicts some of the nature of Belzagor

        I read this book months ago, but I still think about the ideas presented in the book and the horrors of Gunderson’s journey. I felt a little more open-minded by the end, which is what I was not expecting. I highly recommend this book and think that it deserves an A for excellent.