Robert Sheckley

Geroj "Khozhdenija Dzhoenisa", polineziets, zadumavshij posetit stranu svoikh predkov - Ameriku, ispytyvaet rjad poistine sjurrealisticheskikh, opasnykh i umoritelnykh prikljuchenij, znakomitsja s predstaviteljami samykh raznykh sotsialnykh sloev amerikanskogo obschestva i dazhe popadaet v SSSR! Satiricheskij pamflet v toj zhe mere, v kakoj i filosofskij traktat, i plutovskoj roman, "Khozhdenie Dzhoenisa" stoit v odnom rjadu s luchshimi romanami Kurta Vonneguta, i sostoit v rodstve s sochinenijami Voltera, Frantsa Kafki i Jaroslava Gasheka.Perevodchik: Bakanov Vladimir Igorevich, Babenko V.

Meeting of the Minds, has been acknowledged as a major work throughout human history, and we have taken precautions to assure its preservation by republishing this book in a modern manner for both present and future generations. This book has been completely retyped, revised, and reformatted. The text is readable and clear because these books are not created from scanned copies.

A replica of the February 1953 issue of FANTASY MAGAZINE digest featuring THE BLACK STRANGER by Robert E. Howard (edited by L. Sprague de Camp), ASHTARU THE TERRIBLE by Poul Anderson, DRAGON FIRES by Steve Frazee, TOO GLOOMY FOR PRIVATE PUSHKIN by Richard Deming, THE DEMONS by Robert Sheckley, FEEDING TIME by Finn O'Donnevan, and THE NIGHT SHIFT by Frank Robinson. This issue does not have copyright protection and is public domain.

This book has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies and hence the text is clear and readable.

Fantastika Roberta Shekli ne podverzhena vlijaniju vremeni. Ee budut chitat vsegda, poka zhiv chelovek chitajuschij. Ved esli kniga po-nastojaschemu ostroumna, to est vmeste i ostra i umna, ona najdet svoego chitatelja nezavisimo ot kaprizov mody i delenija na zhanry i napravlenija. Romany, povesti i rasskazy Shekli davno uzhe stali podlinnoj fantasticheskoj klassikoj - i nevazhno, na kakom jazyke chitaet ikh mirovoj chitatel. Interesnoe, umnoe i smeshnoe - vot te tri moguchikh kita, na kotorykh derzhitsja v okeane literatury ostrov pod nazvaniem "Robert Shekli". I ljuboj chitatel, otkryvshij dlja sebja etot ostrov, budet vozvraschatsja na nego snova i snova, potomu chto nevozmozhno ne vernutsja tuda, gde ostalas chastitsa tvoego serdtsa.

V etom sbornike tri proizvedenija Roberta Shekli (1928-2005), odnogo iz samykh izvestnykh amerikanskikh fantastov - romany "Bozhij dom" i "Alkhimicheskij marjazh Elistera Kromptona" i povest "Labirint Minotavra", i vse oni okrasheny stol svojstvennoj avtoru ironiej.Sostavitel: Vitalij Babenko.

Bolshinstvu chitatelej Robert Shekli (1928-2005) khorosho izvesten kak zamechatelnyj pisatel-fantast, odnako zdes on predstavlen proizvedenijami drugogo zhanra. Tri romana, vkljuchennykh v etu knigu, obedineny obschim glavnym geroem - chastnym detektivom, kotoryj rassleduet prestuplenija, svjazannye s torgovlej narkotikami i sovershaemye na ispanskom ostrove Ibitsa, a takzhe v Londone, Nju-Jorke i Parizhe. Popadaja v kazalos by beznadezhnoe polozhenie, Khob Drakonjan (tak zovut etogo geroja) neizmenno sokhranjaet samoobladanie i chuvstvo jumora, i eti kachestva, a takzhe pomosch druzej pomogajut emu ne tolko utselet, no i dobitsja uspekha. Proizvedenija, voshedshie v sbornik "Detektivnoe agentstvo "Alternativa", - pochti dokumentalnye. I - pochti avtobiograficheskie. Konechno, ikh avtor, zamechatelnyj amerikanskij pisatel-fantast Robert Shekli, mnogoe pridumal (na to on i fantast). No ochen mnogoe vzjato im iz realnoj zhizni (na to on i pisatel). Realnaja zhizn - eto prestuplenija, sovershaemye na ostrove Ibitsa (gde, byvalo, podolgu zhil avtor), a takzhe v Nju-Jorke i Parizhe. Ikh rassleduet chastnyj detektiv Khob Drakonjan - byvshij khippi, legkij chelovek i khoroshij tovarisch svoim druzjam, dazhe esli eti druzja narushajut zakon. A napisal o dejatelnosti chastnogo detektivnogo agentstva "Alternativa" Robert Shekli - tozhe byvshij khippi, veselyj chelovek i otmennyj tovarisch svoim druzjam. Dobro pozhalovat v detektivnyj mir Roberta Shekli, mir (kak eto chasto ukazyvaetsja v annotatsijakh k sovremennym filmam), "osnovannyj na realnykh sobytijakh".Vitalij Babenko

In "The Status Civilization," Robert Sheckley masterfully crafts a satirical and thought-provoking narrative that explores themes of societal structure, identity, and morality in a futuristic setting. Set on a distant planet where status is determined by a brutal 'game' of social competition, the novel employs a blend of sharp wit and philosophical musings, characteristic of Sheckley's literary style. This science fiction classic endeavors to critique contemporary notions of success and class hierarchy by juxtaposing an absurdly distorted societal order against the backdrop of existential dilemmas faced by the protagonist, Adam Graser. Robert Sheckley, an influential figure in the realm of speculative fiction, is known for his unique ability to intertwine humor with deep existential concerns. His extensive background as a writer for various genres, coupled with his own experiences navigating societal norms in mid-20th century America, undoubtedly shaped his perspective. Sheckley's keen insights into human nature shine through in "The Status Civilization," reflecting his satirical outlook and the socio-political climate of his time. This novel is recommended for anyone interested in a compelling mix of humor, philosophy, and critical social commentary. Readers will find themselves drawn into its intriguing narrative that challenges conventional wisdom while providing an entertaining exploration of what it means to truly live in a civilization.

'The greatest entertainer ever produced by science fiction' J. G. BallardThese surreal, elegantly witty tales from one of the most esteemed writers of science fiction encompass indignant aliens, stranded space explorers, shapeshifters, a company that manufactures designer planets and a deadly hunting game in far-future New York.'Robert Sheckley is one of the great funny writers' Douglas Adams'A writer not quite like any other whose forte is his own brand of strange and wonderful humour' The New York Times'Genuinely funny SF' Neil Gaiman

This book has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies of their original work and hence the text is clear and readable.

Po priznaniju sobratev po fantasticheskomu tsekhu, Shekli byl pervejshim vozmutitelem spokojstvija v nauchnoj fantastike. Jumor, ironija, kotorymi napolneny ego rasskazy, povesti i romany, nastolko nepovtorimy, chto dostatochno vykhvatit iz teksta khotja by neskolko strochek, chtoby srazu zhe skazat - eto Shekli. Da i sam avtor niskolko ne skryval svoego otnoshenija k literature: "Ja vsju zhizn staralsja byt ne slishkom sereznym. Ja ne schitaju sebja politicheskim myslitelem i pytajus vse donosit do chitatelej v legkoj, nenazojlivoj forme. Ironija - eto moj stil. Ja ne vybiral ironiju, kak prirodnuju osnovu svoego myshlenija, tak vyshlo. Mne kazhetsja, ljudjam interesnee nasmeshka, a ne pouchenie, zanimatelnaja istorija, a ne mnogoslovnoe rassuzhdenie. Esli zhe to, chto ja govorju, ostaetsja neponjatym ili ponjatym ne do kontsa, esli ljudi prosto chitajut zabavnuju istoriju i pri etom otdykhajut, menja eto vpolne ustraivaet". V nastojaschem izdanii chast rasskazov i roman "Obmen razumov" publikujutsja v novykh perevodakh. Tekst romana, v otlichie ot predyduschikh izdanij, daetsja bez sokraschenij.

'Hilarious SF satire. Douglas Adams said it was the only thing like The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, although written ten years earlier. It's wonderful' Neil GaimanThis madcap cosmic farce relates the adventures of the hapless human Carmody, as he attempts to make his way home to Earth after winning the grand prize in the Intergalactic Sweepstake, encountering parallel worlds, incompetent bureaucrats and talking dinosaurs on the way.'The greatest entertainer ever produced by science fiction ... a feast of wit and intelligence' J. G. Ballard

Armchair Fiction presents extra large paperback collections of the best in classic science fiction short stories. Enjoy our fifteenth collection of Science Fiction Gems, which features some great fiction by brilliant writers. These stories are a pretty brilliant group-a real nice batch to cozy up to. If you're searching for the perfect woman, try "Accept No Substitutes," but you may find out that too much perfection is not always a good thing. If you love innocent little kids, you may learn that innocence and evil are not that far apart in "Zero Hour." "The Thing in the Truck" should satisfy your cravings for potatoes, only make sure they're well cooked. Like a good murder mystery? Try out "Earth Transit" for a nifty whodunit in outer space. "The Man With X-Ray Eyes" shows you how blind ambition can make you see a whole lot more than just the simple facts. And "Someday" will give you a bird's eye view of the entire phenomenon of self-awareness. All in all, there are some grand futuristic thrills waiting for you in the pages of this new collection; so be bold and step into the future. Here's the lineup: ACCEPT NO SUBSTITUTES By Robert Sheckley THE THING IN THE TRUCK By Milton Lesser IN THE SCARLET STAR By Jack Williamson ZERO HOUR By Ray Bradbury GLOW WORM By Harlan Ellison THE MAN WITH X-RAY EYES By Edmond Hamilton EARTH TRANSIT By Charles L. Fontenay SOMEDAY By Isaac Asimov THIS STAR SHALL BE FREE By Murray Leinster PHANTOM HANDS By Berkeley Livingston ONE-WAY TUNNEL By David H. Keller THE TIMELESS MAN By Frank Belknap Long

This is a classic science fiction short story by Robert Sheckley, a Hugo and Nebula Award nominated author. The story deals with the subject of artificial intelligence and the questions that arise from allowing them to have the power to decide right from wrong. This work is part of our Vintage Sci-Fi Classics Series, a series in which we are republishing some of the best stories in the genre by some of its most acclaimed authors, such as Isaac Asimov, Marion Zimmer Bradley, and Robert Sheckley. Each publication is complete with a short introduction to the history of science fiction.

This is a classic science fiction novel by Robert Sheckley, a Hugo and Nebula Award nominated author. This story follows Will Barnett, a man convicted of a crime on Earth, who is memory-washed and sentenced to a prison term on the planet Omega, from which there is seemingly no escape. However, he does return to Earth and finds it full of subtle terrors more insidious than those of the ruthless prison planet he left behind This work is part of our Vintage Sci-Fi Classics Series, a series in which we are republishing some of the best stories in the genre by some of its most acclaimed authors, such as Isaac Asimov, Marion Zimmer Bradley, and Robert Sheckley. Each publication is complete with a short introduction to the history of science fiction.