On the Science-Fiction Work “Galaktikada bir kun” (A Day in the Galaxy)

The term “fantasy” derives from the Greek “phantastikē”, meaning “the art of imagination”. It denotes the depiction of things and events that do not exist in reality but are created in the mind by the power of imagination, as well as the body of literary works based on such depiction. Fantasy is not merely a product of the imagination: traces of existing reality can be felt beneath it. After all, imagination takes flight by drawing its strength from that very reality. As human beings come to understand the mysteries of nature more deeply, the understanding of fantasy as conditional objectivity and as an artistic device becomes ever more firmly established.

In modern Uzbek literature, effective use of elements of fantasy can be observed in A. Fitrat’s “Qiyomat” (Doomsday) and “Abdulfayzxon”, A. Qahhor’s “Qabrdan tovush” (A Voice from the Grave) and X. Dostmuhammad’s “Jajman”. In the twentieth century, writers such as X. Toxtaboyev and T. Malik also made a great contribution to the development of Uzbek adventure and science-fiction literature. One of the founders of Uzbek science fiction was the late writer Hojiakbar Shayxov. The science-fiction works of the young Uzbek writer Sadullo Quronov, who is continuing Shayxov’s explorations, deserve praise.

In the writer’s science-fiction work, events unfold in a distinctive order. In its originality, the plot differs sharply from the works of other science-fiction writers. The main questions posed and the ideas put forward in Sadullo Quronov’s work are important, first, for studying the writer’s artistic and imaginative world and his outlook; second, his writing is of real value both for the imaginative thinking of the writer in today’s literary process and for the scientific discoveries of the future.

Sadullo Quronov is a master of the dynamic plot. Unexpected twists and turns in the narrative, bold predictions and sharply conflicting situations are characteristic of his writing. Sadullo Quronov is one of those writers who work hard to live up to their readers’ hopes.

The writer’s science-fiction novella “Galaktikada bir kun” (A Day in the Galaxy) shows the author’s scholarly level, the remarkable breadth of his imagination, and his considerable talent and potential for writing science fiction. Another of Sadullo Quronov’s achievements, I believe, is that in this novella he does not get bogged down in scientific hypotheses alone but skilfully reveals both the outward appearance and the inner world of each of his characters. Take the protagonist, Ahmad: this energetic boy faces every danger head-on, makes wise decisions without hesitation in difficult situations and earns everyone’s respect through his knowledge. To be so knowledgeable and enterprising takes a great deal of learning. It is right that today’s young people should read precisely such works, for there is no doubt that reading this book will further increase their eagerness to learn.

In “Galaktikada bir kun”, when describing celestial bodies and neighbouring worlds, the writer makes good use of the latest achievements of modern science and of several scientific hypotheses, presenting them to the reader as if they truly existed, and in this he has achieved a considerable creative success. In general, one of the most difficult points in science fiction is how to depict scientific analysis and psychological analysis in dialectical unity.

In Sadullo Quronov’s science-fiction novella “Galaktikada bir kun” this harmony is clearly evident. The writer’s optimism shows in his characters: perceptive, keen-minded and generous with their help, they act, even in the most difficult situations, out of their duty to humanity and to their own awakened conscience.

Here, without dwelling excessively on science, the main aim is to prove the importance of that celestial map, to show the advanced technology of beings from other planets and to highlight the technical achievements that earthlings are creating on the basis of their knowledge of space. In such cases science fiction must, of course, take care not to be so carried away by wonderful and astonishing descriptions of science and technology that it forgets literature’s principal object of analysis — the human being and his inner world. At the same time, we must not drift away from science and cover up our own ignorance with artistry alone. Mindful of this, the writer has managed to keep both aspects in balance throughout the work.

The toxic substances emitted every year by the tonne from aircraft, cars and chemical laboratories, plants and factories — the great inventions of humankind — are, of course, affecting our atmosphere and, moreover, the air we breathe and our environment. Ahmad sees that these very emissions are the reason why some planets have been completely destroyed, and he senses that humanity faces a grave danger. You may consider this a product of our writer’s imagination. But it is no secret that even today, in major cities of the world such as London, Tokyo, Hamburg, Yokohama, New York and Rotterdam, thick smogs form as a result of highly complex reactions between emissions from chemical plants and toxic exhaust from cars and aircraft, and that harmful rain falling from black clouds formed of toxic vapours causes suffering to living creatures — and to humanity itself. Human economic activity is also among the factors directly responsible for environmental pollution.

In addressing global problems, the writer places particular emphasis on the planetary geo-ecological problem and provides information about its negative consequences. Indeed, the tonnes of waste that humanity releases into nature today are accumulating in the atmosphere and, in part, in the oceans, and finding ways to eliminate this problem is one of the main questions awaiting a solution from humankind. Specialists note that, because of the more than 22 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere every year, the Earth’s temperature is rising year by year. As a result of this sharp rise in temperature, polar ice may melt, ocean levels may rise and vast areas of land may be damaged. The sharp increase in such emissions is upsetting the balance between the Earth and its atmosphere.

His science-fiction novella has all the essential features of modern science fiction: the writer appeals directly to the human conscience. Raising the problems facing humanity, he calls on all the people of the world to unite in solving them. The work promotes diligence and patriotism — in a word, goodness. That is precisely why Sadullo Quronov’s work is certain to win readers’ hearts.

The educational side of the work also deserves praise. In particular, the unusual talent, gifts and resourcefulness of the protagonist, twelve-year-old Ahmad, will no doubt give readers of his age a special motivation to master the exact sciences. A reader who gets to know the work may enrich their knowledge in several subjects and, most importantly, instead of remaining indifferent to what is happening in nature, may strive to contribute to solving global problems. Without hesitation, though not without some apprehension, Ahmad hurries to help his friend from another planet, Margol Vu Dagudo of Salmir, save his planet, and goes through many extraordinary adventures. In the course of his travels he visits worlds adjoining ours and meets, by chance, all sorts of beings from other planets. The boy also befriends the robot Moki and grows attached to him not as a machine but as to a human being, which shows how pure his heart is.

It is in this very work that we can encounter ideas about worlds adjoining our own — worlds that cannot be seen with the eyes but may be perceived with the eye of the heart. Although such worlds exist, we sometimes regard them with doubt. Through the chain of events in the work, the writer calls people to goodness and to kindness alone. The educational value of the work is immense: respect for parents, care for the young, friendship and affection among those close to us are all reflected in it. The work also acquaints the reader with a variety of fascinating scientific facts.

In conclusion, it can be said that Sadullo Quronov’s science-fiction novella “Galaktikada bir kun”, a worthy contribution to the development of science fiction in Uzbek literature, deserves comprehensive study and research. The work is valuable for broadening young people’s outlook and educating them in the spirit of noble values. If we are to establish a clean way of life on planet Earth — the mother of us all — let us first of all look closely at our surroundings. Instead of passing indifferently by the carcasses of animals left by thoughtless people in rubbish dumps and by the roadside, rotting and giving off a foul smell in the heat, we would do well to join together in communal work to clean and improve our surroundings. After all, let us not forget that each of us has a duty to leave future generations a world with clear skies and beautiful nature. Only then can we go on living free from grave dangers.

The novella shows that human beings can shape their destiny only with their own hands. We can see the writer’s sincere wish that today’s discoveries should serve not humanity’s downfall but its prosperity. Most importantly, reading this work will no doubt lay the ground for readers, especially young readers, to develop a special love for subjects such as astronomy, physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science.