Customer Reviews

Gladiator at Law

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Pohl and Kornbluth's's sharp satire of the consumer society and corporate corruption of government is as relevant today as when it was first published 50 years ago. "Gladiator at law" describes a possible future for the 1950s in which the working and middle classes are kept under control by the threat of losing their job and with it their tied housing--and the unemployed masses are kept quiescent with bread and circuses, Roman style. Reality tv may not have gone quite as far as the entertainment for the proles depicted in this novel, and science fiction is an exploration of possible futures rather than a prediction of an actual future, but Pohl and Kornbluth's depiction of one of those potential futures is uncomfortably close to present day reality.

There are some nicely drawn characters, and a realistic look at the hazards of battling powerful vested interests -- while there is a happy ending, it comes at a price. The novel is short by today's standards, but a good read, and well worth hunting down a copy at a reasonable price.

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

I read this book when I was a teenager, nearly 50 years ago, and just finished re-reading it. It holds up surprisingly well for a half-century-old work of speculative fiction. Sure, the technology is dated, and you have to mentally multiply all dollar figures by a factor of 20, but as social commentary it's still readable and even engrossing. P&K's portrayal of a decaying, corporate-controlled America is well crafted, with vivid descriptions and dialog. Their grasp of economics is spotty, and Pohl's far-leftist sympathies are all too evident (he was a Communist in his younger days) but the narrative moves along briskly, and the characters are vivid and memorable. I hesitate to give this five stars; it's really more like a 4.5 star entry, but why quibble. GLADIATOR AT LAW is among the classics of mid-century SF.

Following along the same lines as the Space Merchants- another send-up of a dire corporate futuristic setting.
Again Pohl and Kornbluth show the haves and have nots in the futuristic society and it really hits home today. While the Space Merchants was well reviewed- the NY Times praises the book- Gladiator At-Law seems to have flown under the radar. Don't let the awful artwork on the cover scare you off- this is worth reading.

Frederik Pohl is a classic science fiction author. I have enjoyed several of his stories.

I came across Gladiator-At-Law for a dollar and decided to give it a try.

I wasn't impressed.

The story takes place in a dysfunctional world where the rich have great, superficial lives, and the poor suffer in welfare houses. Our hero picks up a case with a beautiful woman who claims to be the heir to a fortune. There is lots of excitement and things work out in the end.

If you like pulp fiction from the 1950s, you might enjoy this. Otherwise, you can find better science fiction with many other books.

A wonderful exploration of the meaning of "political classes" in the guise of a rousing sci-fi adventure. The kind of story that just isn't written anymore.

Incisive but entertaining early science-fiction that questions the ethics of large corporations and overly close governmental ties to big business, written long before such sentiments were fashionable. An excellent read by written by SF masters of a generation past. Short and easy to read.

Pohl & Kornbluth shake us from our everyday acceptance of reality. A marvelous exploration of companies grown out of control. An accidental hero who overcomes incredible obstacles to make the world a better place.

This tale of fight against corporate dictatorships, unemplyment terror and ruthless financial speculations seem written for today. Chilling and beautifully written social satire. Pohl's humour relieves Kornbluth bitterness, as always.

This is one of the greatest science fiction books of all time. Althrough written in the late 1950s, it is still as relevant today as when it was written. The classics do not lose their relevance. Read this book, however you can get it.