The Night of Hoggy Darn

"The Night of Hoggy Darn" by Richard McKenna is a science fiction novel written in the late 20th century. The story follows Flinter Cole, a young ecologist on a mission to study the ecosystem of the hermit planet New Cornwall, particularly focusing on a giant flightless bird called the stomper, whose population is in danger. As Cole navigates his field assignment, he finds himself caught in a web of local beliefs, intrigue, and the darker aspects of the planet's history—a complexity that he must unravel to fulfill his research objectives. The opening of the novel presents Cole’s journey aboard the space freighter "Gorbals", where he learns about the dangerous inhabitants of New Cornwall and the ecological crisis at play. As an inexperienced ecologist, he grapples with his anxiety about the assignment while building relationships with the ship's crew and the enigmatic woman, Pia Vignoli, whose family dynamics are tied to the planet's troubling past. Upon arrival, he discovers the locals' mistrust of outsiders and the significance of the stomper within their society, particularly as tensions rise in light of an impending event known as Hoggy Darn. The stage is set for a conflict between scientific exploration and cultural beliefs, indicating a blend of adventure, ecology, and ethics in Cole's quest.