Gladiator-at-Law (Ballantine #U2343)

by Frederik Pohl and C.M. Kornbluth

Book Overview

Bantam Books issued this paperback edition in 1977. This satirical science fiction novel was first published in 1955. Whereas in the authors' earlier novel "The Space Merchants" the world was ruled by... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B000XU78MK
• Release Date: January 1966
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 186 Pages

Customer Reviews

Probably great if they send the right book

This book is probably amazing. How ever, I instead received a beat up copy of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. While I love me some Verne, I already read that one and wasn't looking for another copy. Will delete and revise review when I get this straightened out.

Welcome to America's Coloseum!

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

1950s social satire as relevant today as when it was written

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.

Incisive but easy-to-read early SF

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.

An urgent book of social criticism

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.