Hello Summer, Goodbye / Rax / Pallahaxi Tide by Michael G. Coney. Three titles, one book.

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:02]It's finally spring here in Winnipeg.

[00:00:03]I'm reading Pal Haxey Tide by Michael G.

[00:00:06]Coney.

[00:00:07]Pal Haxey Tide by Michael G. Coney was published in Canada in 1990, but it's a reprint and it's a retitled reprint.

[00:00:15]Originally published in the UK as Hello Summer, Goodbye.

[00:00:20]And then printed in United States in 1975 as Rax.

[00:00:25]Hello Summer, Goodbye is definitely part of the theme of the book.

[00:00:29]Rax is the name of a planet that's affecting the planet of our protagonist.

[00:00:35]And Pal Haxey Tide refers to the town, the seaside town Pal Haxey, and some of the things that obviously will happen there.

[00:00:45]If you've read this book, let me know in the comments below which title you prefer. And even if you haven't read this book, which title, which cover do you prefer?

[00:00:54]But let's get into the story now.

[00:00:56]The story is set on an alien planet. Its orbit provides wild swings in temperature, but there's also another planet, Rax, which is affecting it.

[00:01:08]Although an alien planet, the inhabitants are very much human-like.

[00:01:12]Nothing is gone into explaining here what is happening. I just assume that they are natives of the planet itself.

[00:01:19]People are sometimes referred to by the places that they come from. Our protagonist is Drove. So, Drove comes from the town of Aleika. So, sometimes he's called Aleika Drove.

[00:01:31]Our story begins as Drove travels with his family to a coastal holiday town called Pal Haxey for a summer vacation.

[00:01:38]In a previous vacation, in the last few days, he fell in love with a local girl named Pal Haxey Brown Eyes. He hopes that he will see her again. And of course, he sees her again. And their relationship grows into a sweet summer romance. But in In background, we have civil unrest. The planet has two warring governments. Drove slowly discover that the adults around them are acting weird, that there is some hidden motivations, not only because of the war, but because of an upcoming major climate shift. The cold is coming, and there's an astronomical reason why this cold could last for 40 years.

[00:02:18]Drove and Brown Eyes people aren't the only inhabitants of this planet. We also have the Loren, mysterious, furry, semi-sentient native creatures that possess telepathic abilities.

[00:02:30]There are also other threats, which can freeze and unfreeze water, and have tentacles which could grab you and pull you under.

[00:02:40]This is a bildungsroman or coming-of-age story. We have a tender romance. We have danger, climate danger.

[00:02:49]We have war.

[00:02:51]And we have adventure as Drove, Brown Eyes, and friends seek to find out what is happening here. What are the motives behind what some of the adults are doing in the community? Sweet and innocent at times, it's also a period of growing up in great ecological danger. Can their people survive the oncoming cold?

[00:03:11]There's a bit of political intrigue as well, dealing with the war and traitors.

[00:03:17]You may also like a strong portrayal of a seaside community, the people within and their mistrust of people who come from outside. So, we have a first-person narrative of a gentle coming-of-age love story in the face of war and eco disaster.

[00:03:35]It also has an ending, which is earned but may be a surprise. In fact, it comes down to the last sentence.

[00:03:43]I want to give you one passage from the book which shows you the growth in the character of Drove.

[00:03:48]This is Drove speaking.

[00:03:50]I believe that there is a point in our lives when our characters crystallize like an ice devil. When after all the uncertainties, the external influences, the subjection, and irresponsibility of childhood, a person will decide that is the way I am going. I have seen it all.

[00:04:08]I have listened to the views of my parents and teachers, and although I concede there are facts I do not yet know, nevertheless, my character is now so formed that I will not be thrown by new facts. They will increase my knowledge of the world, but they will not change my attitude to that world or my conception of my own role in that world.

[00:04:27]At last, I know enough of other people to know when I am right.

[00:04:32]I've only read one other Michael G.

[00:04:34]Coney novel, Friends Come in Boxes. That was a bit of a weird read, and if you're interested, I'll link below my review.

[00:04:43]Some had told me that that was a bit of an outlier from his work, and that this one perhaps was his masterpiece.

[00:04:51]It is a very good novel.

[00:04:53]I would give it 8.5 out of 10.

[00:04:57]There is a sequel to that was published posthumously, I Remember Palahaxi.

[00:05:02]Now, it's your turn.

[00:05:04]Remember, you can tell me which title you prefer, perhaps which cover you prefer. If you've read Palahaxi Tide, what did you think of it?

[00:05:13]Have you read the sequel?

[00:05:15]Please let me know in the comments below. Until next time. Hold on there, Richard.

[00:05:21]This is editing Richard, and I almost forgot to mention that my friend Keith from Tau Zero sent me this book as a gift. So, this was a recommendation from him to read. I'll put a link to his channel below, as well. All right.

[00:05:38]So, now, until next time, keep reading.

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