
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
I
II
A nomadic tribe wanders through the primeval forest of Kzour, seeking a safe clearing to rest for the night. When they stumble upon a clearing filled with strange, glowing geometric shapes—translucent cones, striped cylinders and towering strata—their curiosity quickly turns to horror as the forms surge forward, striking the warriors with a force that feels like thunder‑bolts. The survivors scramble away, discovering that the alien entities pursue only as far as a mysterious, fixed boundary before retreating, leaving the wounded and the frightened to regroup around a newly kindled fire.
From this terrifying encounter springs a tense mix of wonder and dread, as the tribe wrestles with an intelligence that is neither element nor animal but something altogether alien. The story follows their attempts to understand the limits of this unknown menace, while the harsh landscape and the raw determination of mothers, hunters and even the pack animals illuminate the fragile resilience of early humanity.
Language
fr
Duration
~1 hours (87K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
John Routh, Delphine Lettau and the volunteers at Distributed Proofreaders Canada.
Release date
2021-07-15
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1856–1940
A pioneering voice in early science fiction, this French-language writer imagined alien life, deep time, and prehistoric humanity with unusual boldness. Best known for works like The Quest for Fire and Les Xipéhuz, he helped shape the genre long before it had its modern name.
View all books
1859–1948
A pioneer of early science fiction, this French writer of Belgian origin helped imagine prehistoric worlds, strange futures, and the long deep past of humanity. His work is remembered for mixing adventure, speculation, and a strong sense of wonder.
View all books
by aîné J.-H. Rosny

by aîné J.-H. Rosny

by aîné J.-H. Rosny

by aîné J.-H. Rosny

by aîné J.-H. Rosny

by Vinceslas-Eugène Dick

by Philippe Aubert de Gaspé

by Abraham Cahan