Robert Charles Wilson's "Julian: A Christmas Story": Post-oil degenerate society

This generally quite readable story reads like a less focused retelling of Ayn Rand's "Anthem": modern society degenerates into a medieval one. In case of Rand, you get a hint of deliverance from this pathetic future; in this story, you just get a description of this future society.

The story offers a lot of interesting quotes.

Full text of this story is available online.

Story summary.
After the world's oil reserves are exhausted, there is a lot of conflict & purges. Human population is drastically reduced "to more reasonable numbers".

We learn this slowly, in the year 2172 where the story is set. Location is the village of Williams Ford near the river Pine - somewhere in the US, not far from New York City which is now the capital of the country (not US) of which the village is a part.

This is a medieval intolerant society, generally divided into three castes: "highborn & various aristos" - the rulers & owners; "leasing class" - skilled workers; & "indentured laborers" - unskilled workers that are essentially slaves to aristos.

During elections, votes of members of the last caste are cast by their owner aristos! Elections for President, & for the local representative to some kind of higher council, are a sham. Ben Kreel represents Williams Ford in this council; he is also a kind of local priest & morality keeper.

Economy of twentieth & early twenty-first century is dubbed "Efflorescence of Oil", & the events around the time oil resources were exhausted are dubbed "False Tribulation". Old oil-based technology world is only known through hearsay & legends - with no clarity on where imagination ends & truth begins.

The story is of two teenager friends: Adam Hazzard - the narrator, & Julian Comstock.

Adam's mother is of leasing caste, father is from indentured.

Julian is a very smart aristo. His dad, General Bryce Comstock, was hanged by his own brother - the current President Deklan Comstock - fearing a challenge to his power. Julian's mom has entrusted his education & safely to an old loyal - Sam Godwin. Sam & Julian are visiting the village, & they stay as guests at "Duncan and Crowley Estate".

Story tells us of the origins of their unlikely friendship, their adolescent confusion when digesting some information from "secular ancients", & eventual escape from village fearing for Julian's life at the hands of his uncle. Plus some adventures during escape in Lundsford - a ancient ruin of a town 30 miles from the village.

Christmas part of the story's title comes from the day of the their escape from village - it's the Christmas day.

Fact sheet.
Julian: A Christmas Story, short story, review
First published: 2006
Rating: B
Nominated for Hugo Awards 2007 in novella category

Related: All Hugo Award stories.