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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
America's Dark Future According to Kornbluth.,
By
This review is from: Gladiator-at-Law (Mass Market Paperback)
Unfortunately for sci-fi fans, Cyril M. Kornbluth had a very short life (1923-1958). Nevertheless he was able to deliver several very good novels.
"Gladiator-at-law" (1954) in collaboration with his friend Frederik Pohl is one of them. First of all what an enticing title! You simply can't let it pass by unnoticed! The story describes a dystopia with many traits in common with their previous successful novel "The Space Merchants" (1952). I think these similarities conspired against "Gladiator-at-law" relegating it to a more obscure place than it deserves. The plot is as follows: this future world is ruled by Corporations that control economic and political power. Population is roughly divided in three segments. Top level is the Titans (industrial and/or financial). Middle class (professionals, administrators, technicians) bonded to the Corporations by a contract. They live in permanent danger to loose their job AND housing. Being the housing the key issue of this nearly servitude status. Finally at the bottom of the pyramid a huge mass of dispossessed are nourished and entertained by the state and lives into pauper neighborhoods without law. A lawyer that is barely able to keep into the second class is contacted by a mysterious couple of siblings. From there on action rage without respite allowing the reader to get in touch with a nightmarish world. This book is a wonderful example of a turning point in sci-fi literature from traditional technological spaces operas to a more humanistic and sociological subjects. Enjoy this somehow underrated sci-fi classic! Reviewed by Max Yofre
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not Free SF Reader,
By Blue Tyson "- Research Finished" (Legion clubhouse) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Gladiator-at-Law (Mass Market Paperback)
An American corporate satire, mostly. Fairly well executed.
A younger lawyer, without all the right collections, is struggling to make enough to eat. Some former well connected people, with a lot of knowledge and a right to wrong come to him for help. To do this, they have to involve a man with no memory, a broken down corporate wizard and some others in a plot to bring some justice to town. |
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Gladiator-At-Law by C. M. Kornbluth (Mass Market Paperback - 1955)
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