Telekinetic (a Hyllis Family Story #1)
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Telekinetic (a Hyllis Family Story #1)
Laurence Dahners' "Telekinetic" opens a gritty window into a world clawing its way back from oblivion, centering on the Hyllis family and their inherited "tele-talents." The strength of this work lies in its grounded depiction of psychic abilities; they are less flashy marvels and more practical tools for survival in a world stripped bare. The description of Tarc Hyllis's mother's healing ability—feeling ailments within patients—is particularly evocative, demonstrating a nuanced application of telepathy that feels earned rather than gratuitous. However, the pacing occasionally falters, with early sections spending considerable time on world-building that, while necessary, can slow the momentum of Tarc's personal narrative. The initial focus on the mechanics of their tele-talents, while informative, sometimes overshadows the emotional core of the Hyllis family's struggle. Nevertheless, the narrative promises an exploration of how these unique gifts shape relationships and societal structures in a post-collapse era. "Telekinetic" effectively sets the stage for a compelling series by presenting a unique fusion of post-apocalyptic grit and speculative psychic abilities.
📝 Description
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Published in 2020, Laurence Dahners' 'Telekinetic' imagines a world where inherited psychic abilities shape survival.
This novel, the first in the Hyllis Family Story series, is set after civilization's collapse. Humanity has returned to a state reliant on basic technology and horsepower. The Hyllis family possesses hereditary psychic talents, including telekinesis and teleportation. These abilities are not just unusual traits; they are vital for the family's survival and their place within this new, stark society. The book focuses on the Hyllis lineage and how these inherited powers function in a world stripped of advanced civilization.
'Telekinetic' is written for speculative fiction fans who value strong character development and original takes on superpowers. Readers who enjoy post-apocalyptic settings, especially those where societies are rebuilding with limited technology and developing new abilities, will find the story engaging. It also appeals to those curious about the practical and ethical questions surrounding inherited psychic gifts in difficult circumstances.
The Hyllis family's 'tele-talents' connect to early 20th-century literary and cultural fascinations with psychic phenomena, influenced by Spiritualism and Theosophy. Dahners reworks these themes within a post-collapse setting. This contrasts with earlier science fiction's often optimistic views of psychic evolution. The book's 2020 publication aligns with contemporary interest in societal resilience and human adaptation.
💡 Why Read This Book?
• Gain insight into how inherited psychic abilities, like Tarc Hyllis's telekinesis, are integrated into a functional, albeit primitive, post-collapse society, offering a unique perspective on "tele-talents" beyond typical superhero tropes. • Understand the practical applications of psychic gifts in a world relying on "iron and horsepower," such as the Hyllis family's healing practices, providing concrete examples of esoteric abilities in a survival context. • Explore the dynamics of a family whose very lineage is defined by unique mental aptitudes, examining how these "tele-talents" influence their survival and relationships in a world rebuilt from the ground up.
⭐ Reader Reviews
Honest opinions from readers who have explored this book.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary "tele-talents" featured in "Telekinetic"?
The primary "tele-talents" explored in "Telekinetic" include telekinesis, the ability to move objects with the mind, and teleportation, the capacity to move instantaneously from one place to another. The Hyllis family also exhibits abilities like "feeling" internal ailments.
What is the setting of the Hyllis Family Story series?
The Hyllis Family Story series is set in a post-apocalyptic world where civilization has collapsed, forcing humanity to revert to a societal structure dependent on "iron and horsepower" and the emergent "tele-talents" of certain families.
When was "Telekinetic" by Laurence Dahners first published?
"Telekinetic" by Laurence Dahners was first published on April 20, 2020.
What is the significance of the Hyllis family in the story?
The Hyllis family is central because they tend to inherit "tele-talents," such as telekinesis and teleportation. These abilities are crucial for their survival and for the functions they perform within their post-collapse society, like healing.
Does "Telekinetic" explore the societal impact of psychic abilities?
Yes, "Telekinetic" explores the societal impact by showing how inherited "tele-talents" are utilized for practical purposes like healing and survival in a world that has lost advanced technology, integrating these abilities into a new social order.
What is the main conflict or challenge faced by the characters?
The main challenge revolves around survival in a post-apocalyptic world where resources are scarce and society has regressed. The characters must contend with the practical and ethical implications of their "tele-talents" as they navigate this harsh new reality.
🔮 Key Themes & Symbolism
Inherited Psychic Abilities
The narrative centers on "tele-talents," particularly telekinesis and teleportation, passed down through the Hyllis family. These abilities are depicted not as extraordinary gifts in a modern sense, but as integral, inherited traits crucial for survival in a post-collapse society. The work examines how these psychic aptitudes shape individual roles and family dynamics, moving beyond simple superpower tropes to explore their practical integration into a world stripped of advanced technology and reliant on "iron and horsepower."
Post-Apocalyptic Rebuilding
"Telekinetic" presents a vision of humanity rebuilding after a catastrophic societal collapse. The world is characterized by a regression to "iron and horsepower," emphasizing resourcefulness and adaptation. The Hyllis family's "tele-talents" are a key element in this rebuilding process, offering unique capabilities that help them survive and establish a new form of order. The story explores the challenges of maintaining society and humanity when the old structures are gone.
Healing and Empathy
A significant aspect of the Hyllis family's "tele-talents" involves healing, notably through their ability to "feel" internal conditions. This is exemplified by Tarc Hyllis's mother, who uses her gift to diagnose and treat ailments. This theme explores the empathetic and restorative potential of psychic abilities, positioning them as vital for community well-being in a harsh environment where conventional medicine is nonexistent. It suggests a profound connection between psychic perception and physical health.
Family Legacy and Adaptation
The story emphasizes the hereditary nature of the Hyllis family's "tele-talents," making their lineage and legacy central to their identity. The narrative explores how these inherited abilities both define and challenge the family members, forcing them to adapt to their unique circumstances. The transmission of these powers, from grandfather to mother to Tarc, highlights a continuity of ability and responsibility within the family structure as they navigate a drastically altered world.
💬 Memorable Quotes
Direct passages from the work, attributed to the author.
“The Hyllises tend to inherit "tele-talents" such as telekinesis and teleportation.”
— This statement establishes the core premise of the Hyllis family's unique nature within their post-apocalyptic world, defining them by their hereditary psychic abilities and setting the stage for how these powers will influence their lives and society.
“Tarc Hyllis's mother (and his grandfather before her) could "feel" things with their talent.”
— This highlights a specific application of psychic ability – empathetic or diagnostic sensing – passed down through generations. It illustrates how "tele-talents" are not just about raw power but can manifest in subtle, healing-oriented ways within the family.
“They became healers because they could feel inside their patients, which frequently let them diagnose the underlying causes of an illness.”
— This explains the practical, life-saving function of the Hyllis family's "tele-talents." It demonstrates how their psychic perception translates into a vital medical role in a society lacking conventional healthcare, emphasizing their community importance.
“The collapse of civilization has reduced their people back to iron and horsepower.”
— This concise description frames the setting as a post-collapse era where technological advancement has been lost, forcing a return to more primitive means of survival and societal organization, making inherited abilities even more significant.
“"Telekinetic" is the first of a series of post-apocalyptic stories featuring the Hyllis family.”
— This identifies the book's place within a larger narrative arc, signaling that it serves as an introduction to the Hyllis family, their world, and the overarching themes that will be explored across subsequent installments.
🌙 Esoteric Significance
Tradition
While "Telekinetic" does not explicitly align with a single named esoteric tradition like Hermeticism or Kabbalah, its exploration of "tele-talents" carries the 19th and early 20th-century fascination with psychic phenomena that permeated movements like Theosophy and Spiritualism. These traditions often posited latent human abilities and spiritual evolution. Dahners' work departs by grounding these powers in a post-apocalyptic, hereditary context, making them tools for survival rather than purely spiritual development, offering a more materialist interpretation of esoteric concepts.
Symbolism
The "tele-talents" themselves, particularly telekinesis and teleportation, function as symbols of human potential and adaptation in the face of overwhelming loss. The ability to "feel" illness represents a profound connection between mind and body, symbolizing empathy and intuitive understanding as vital forces for community survival. The "iron and horsepower" setting symbolizes a regression to fundamental human capabilities and resourcefulness, highlighting how even in a primitive state, extraordinary abilities can emerge and shape destiny.
Modern Relevance
Contemporary thinkers exploring transhumanism and speculative evolution might find "Telekinetic" relevant for its depiction of evolved human capabilities emerging in response to environmental pressure. The focus on inherited, practical psychic abilities appeals to discussions about genetic augmentation and the future of human potential. Furthermore, the book's exploration of community rebuilding and the role of unique skills within it speaks to modern interests in social resilience and alternative societal structures, offering a fictional model of adaptation.
👥 Who Should Read This Book
• Post-apocalyptic fiction enthusiasts seeking narratives that blend survival challenges with speculative elements like inherited psychic abilities. • Readers interested in exploring the practical and ethical implications of superpowers when integrated into a primitive, rebuilding society, moving beyond typical superhero tropes. • Speculative fiction fans intrigued by family sagas where unique, hereditary traits play a central role in shaping character, destiny, and community structure.
📜 Historical Context
Laurence Dahners' "Telekinetic," published in 2020, emerges within a contemporary field of speculative fiction that often grapples with societal collapse and the evolution of human capabilities. While the concept of inherited psychic powers has roots in early 20th-century movements like Theosophy and the popularization of telepathy and psychokinesis in pulp magazines, Dahners situates these abilities within a starkly post-apocalyptic framework. This contrasts with earlier utopian visions of psychic advancement, focusing instead on survival and rebuilding. The book's publication year also places it amidst a resurgence of interest in themes of resilience and adaptation, following the global anxieties of the early 21st century. While direct engagement with specific contemporary authors is not detailed, the work participates in a broader discourse that includes writers exploring survivalist themes and speculative advancements in human potential, such as those seen in the works of Andy Weir or Blake Crouch, albeit with a distinct focus on inherited lineage and primitive societal structures.
📔 Journal Prompts
The Hyllis family's "tele-talents" as tools for survival. How might such abilities shape social hierarchy in a primitive world?
Tarc Hyllis's mother's healing ability. Reflect on the connection between intuitive sensing and physical well-being.
The concept of "iron and horsepower" society. Consider the challenges and advantages of rebuilding civilization with limited technology.
Family legacy of "tele-talents." How does inherited ability define identity and responsibility within the Hyllis lineage?
Telekinesis and teleportation in daily life. Imagine practical uses for these "tele-talents" in mundane, post-collapse scenarios.
🗂️ Glossary
"Tele-talents"
A term used in the book to describe inherited psychic abilities possessed by members of the Hyllis family, such as telekinesis and teleportation, crucial for their survival and societal function.
Telekinesis
The psychic ability to influence or move physical objects using only the mind. In "Telekinetic," this is a key "tele-talent" possessed by the Hyllis family.
Teleportation
The psychic ability to instantaneously transport oneself or objects from one location to another. This is another significant "tele-talent" within the Hyllis lineage.
Iron and horsepower
A description of the technological level of society in the post-apocalyptic setting, indicating a regression to pre-industrial or early industrial means of power and labor.
Feeling (as a talent)
A specific psychic ability, demonstrated by Tarc Hyllis's mother and grandfather, allowing them to sense or diagnose physical conditions within living beings, primarily used for healing.
Hyllis Family
The central family in the series, distinguished by their hereditary "tele-talents," who play a significant role in navigating and surviving the post-apocalyptic world.
Post-apocalyptic
Describes the setting and genre of the story, taking place after a catastrophic event that has led to the collapse of civilization and a drastically altered world.
This book appears in 1 collection
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