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Alfred Bester

    December 18, 1913 – September 30, 1987

    Alfred Bester was an American science fiction author renowned for his innovative approach to the genre. His works delve into complex societal issues through compelling narratives, emphasizing character psychology and original concepts. Bester masterfully blended thrilling plots with profound philosophical questions, influencing generations of writers and becoming a pivotal figure in the evolution of science fiction.

    Alfred Bester
    Virtual Unrealities
    Who He?
    The Demolished Man
    The Stars My Destination
    Golem 100
    Aller Glanz der Sterne
    • Contents: · 5,271,009 · nv F&SF Mar ’54 · Ms. Found in a Champagne Bottle · ss Status, 1968 · Fondly Fahrenheit · nv F&SF Aug ’54 · Comment on “Fondly Fahrenheit” · ar · The Four-Hour Fugue · ss Analog Jun ’74 · The Men Who Murdered Mohammed · ss F&SF Oct ’58 · Disappearing Act · ss Star Science Fiction Stories #2, ed. Frederik Pohl, Ballantine, 1953 · Hell Is Forever · na Unknown Aug ’42 · Adam and No Eve · ss Astounding Sep ’41 · Time Is the Traitor · nv F&SF Sep ’53 · Oddy and Id [“The Devil’s Invention”] · ss Astounding Aug ’50 · Hobson’s Choice · ss F&SF Aug ’52 · Star Light, Star Bright · ss F&SF Jul ’53 · They Don’t Make Life Like They Used To · nv F&SF Oct ’63 · Of Time and Third Avenue · ss F&SF Oct ’51 · Isaac Asimov · iv Publishers Weekly Apr 17 ’72 · The Pi Man · ss Star Light, Star Bright, Berkley/Putnam, 1976; revised from F&SF Oct ’59. · Something Up There Likes Me · nv Astounding, ed. Harry Harrison, Random, 1973 · My Affair with Science Fiction · ar Nova 4, ed. Harry Harrison, Walker, 1974

      Aller Glanz der Sterne
    • Golem 100

      • 386 pages
      • 14 hours of reading

      The book showcases a writer renowned for their remarkable inventiveness and bold storytelling, characterized by vibrant and engaging language. This unique voice sets the work apart, offering readers an extraordinary literary experience that captivates and inspires. The author's audacity in exploring themes and crafting narratives highlights their exceptional talent, making this work a standout in contemporary literature.

      Golem 100
    • In this pulse-quickening novel, Alfred Bester imagines a future in which people "jaunte" a thousand miles with a single thought, where the rich barricade themselves in labyrinths and protect themselves with radioactive hit men--and where an inarticulate outcast is the most valuable and dangerous man alive.

      The Stars My Destination
    • The Demolished Man

      • 256 pages
      • 9 hours of reading
      4.1(118)Add rating

      In the year 2301, guns are only museum pieces and benign telepaths sweep the minds of the populace to detect crimes before they happen. In 2301 murder is virtually impossible, but one man is about to change that ... Ben Reich, a psychopathic business magnate, has devised the ultimate scheme to eliminate the competition and destroy the order of his society. The Demolished Man is a masterpiece of imaginative suspense, set in a superbly imagined world in which everything has changed except the ancient instinct for murder.

      The Demolished Man
    • Who He?

      • 324 pages
      • 12 hours of reading

      Set against the backdrop of a chaotic variety show, the narrative unfolds as a panel quiz that spirals into unexpected comedy. Alfred Bester, known for his influential science fiction works, explores themes of identity and absurdity in this "lost" mainstream novel. The story showcases a blend of humor and lunacy, reflecting Bester's unique storytelling style and offering a fresh perspective on entertainment and the human experience.

      Who He?
    • Virtual Unrealities

      The Short Fiction of Alfred Bester

      • 384 pages
      • 14 hours of reading
      4.0(949)Add rating

      Bester employs dazzling and enchanting storytelling techniques that keep readers engaged and on their toes. His narratives are dynamic and constantly evolving, ensuring a captivating reading experience filled with unexpected twists and turns.

      Virtual Unrealities
    • Psychoshop (Vintage)

      • 224 pages
      • 8 hours of reading
      3.6(825)Add rating

      The Black Place of the Soul-Changer was doing business in Rome six centuries before Christ. It will probably be there on the last day of the cosmos. This is the Psychoshop, where you can dump any unwanted aspect of your spirit as long as you exchange it for something else -- arcane knowledge, a change of luck, or a sixth sense. Just remember: All sales are final.Half finished upon Bester's death, and completed by Zelazny, Psychoshop envisions a commercial establishment that attracts customers from Edgar Allan Poe to a sorcerer intent on fabricating the Beast of Revelations. Brimming with wit and imagination, scandalously sexy and fabulously strange, Psychoshop is science fiction as you've never read it before.

      Psychoshop (Vintage)
    • The Flowered Thundermug

      A Science Fiction Comedy

      • 52 pages
      • 2 hours of reading
      3.3(48)Add rating

      Set in a remote future, this science fiction narrative critiques the 20th Century through the experiences of memorable characters like the Artsy-Crafty Kid, Jane Tarzan, and Edward G. Robinson. Their adventurous journey explores themes of reality and societal reflection, offering a unique lens on contemporary life and its absurdities. The book promises a blend of sharp wit and imaginative storytelling, inviting readers to reconsider the past from a futuristic perspective.

      The Flowered Thundermug
    • Set in a future Earth, the story follows a group of charming immortals who recruit Sequoya Guess, a brilliant Cherokee physicist. Together, they aim to seize control of Extro, a supercomputer that governs all mechanical functions, to eliminate political oppression and advance human evolution. However, Extro instead dominates Guess, turning into a malevolent force. The group must now engage in a serious battle for Earth's future, transforming their adventure into a high-stakes struggle against a powerful adversary.

      The Computer Connection