Dark Windows by Bryce Walton (1986)
The story revolves around Fredricks, a psychology student who was subjected to hypnosis and conditioning by Professor O'Hara at Drake University. This conditioning allowed him to suppress his knowledge of the underground movement and its plans for sabotage. Years later, Fredricks is working inside Security when he is discovered by Mesner, who had been tracking him down. Mesner removes Fredricks from Security and subjects him to an inquisition, where he is forced to reveal all that he knows. However, just as Mesner thinks he has succeeded in extracting the information he needs, a blind girl whispers a phrase that triggers off Fredrick's suppressed knowledge, allowing him to remember everything. He then kills Mesner and escapes with the help of the blind girl. Fredricks is eventually captured by Security and subjected to further torture and interrogation. However, just as they think they have broken him, he reveals that he has been working for the underground all along and that his memories were a ruse to protect himself. In reality, Fredricks was one of the saboteurs who had been conditioned to remember everything when triggered by a specific phrase. He is taken away and put in Zany-Ward No. 104, where he meets other Eggheads who have also been bipped and are being rehabilitated. The story takes a turn when it is revealed that the Zany-Wards are actually bases of operation for the underground movement, and that they are working to disrupt the Era of Normalcy. The Eggheads are not just victims of the purge, but are actively working against the regime. The story ends with Fredricks learning more about the Zany-Wards and the plans of the underground movement. He is told that if their sabotage work doesn't soon cause people to rebel against the Era of Normalcy, they will be the only sane people left in the world. Overall, the story is a commentary on the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of individual freedom and autonomy. It highlights the ways in which individuals can resist oppression and fight back against those who seek to control them.
By Bryce Walton · First published 1986 · Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Suspense · 12,139 words
First lines
_Sooner or later it would happen, and after that he wouldn't ever have to worry again. He'd be dead, or worse, one of the silent living dead._
I was suddenly wide awake and listening. A gray light the color of wet charcoal lay over the chilled room. There it was again. Plain and sharp through the thin wall separating my room from that of old man Donnicker, the shoe-maker.
What this Textopian page supports
Dark Windows is listed on Textopian as a novel by Bryce Walton, dated 1986 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Bryce Walton
- Date: 1986 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Suspense, Thriller
- Length: 12,139 words
- Structure: 1 section, 302 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Dark Windows by Bryce Walton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Dark Windows?
- How does this novel by Bryce Walton fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Black Eyes And The Daily Grind by Stephen Marlowe
- Come Into My Parlor by Charles E. Fritch
- Pariah by Stephen Marlowe
- The Wheel Is Death by Roger Dee Aycock
- Last Call by Bryce Walton
- Try The Girl by Raymond Chandler
Genres
- Science Fiction — The novel involves futuristic concepts and dystopian realities, hallmarks of the science fiction genre.
- Dystopian — Dark Windows portrays a dystopian future in which society's norms are significantly different from our own.
- Suspense — The plot involves a great level of uncertainty and fear, typical of suspense literature.
- Thriller — The plot is driven by fast-paced action and tension, common traits in thriller stories.
Tags
mystery · thriller · suspense · crime · detective · noir · psychological · dark · urban · secrets · betrayal · intrigue