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Solar Lottery
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Solar Lottery Paperback - 2012

by Philip K. Dick

The universe is not nearly as random as it appears in this fun, pulpy early work from the award-winning science fiction novelist Philip K. Dick.


About this book

Solar Lottery is the first published novel by Philip K. Dick, an American science-fiction writer. Many of Dick's works have been adapted into popular movies, including Blade Runner and Minority Report, making him one Hollywood’s most prolific writers to boot. 

The Solar Lottery contains many of the themes present in Dick's later work, specifically the psychological struggles of characters trapped in illusory environments. Set in 2203 in a world dominated by logic and numbers, a computerized lottery chooses the Quizmaster, leader of the world government, at random. The element of randomization serves as a form of social control: nobody — in theory, at least — has advantage over another in becoming the next Quizmaster.

Summary

In 2203 anyone can become the ruler of the solar system. There are no elections, no interviews, no prerequisites whatsoever—it all comes down to the random turns of a giant wheel. But when a new Quizmaster takes over, the old one still keeps some rights, namely the right to hire an unending stream of assassins to attempt to kill the new leader.

In the wake of the most recent change in leadership, employees of the former ruler scurry to find an assassin who can get past telepathic guards. But when one employee switches sides, troubling facts about the lottery system come to light, and it just might not be possible for anyone to win.

From the publisher

In 2203 anyone can become the ruler of the solar system. There are no elections, no interviews, no prerequisites whatsoever--it all comes down to the random turns of a giant wheel. But when a new Quizmaster takes over, the old one still keeps some rights, namely the right to hire an unending stream of assassins to attempt to kill the new leader.In the wake of the most recent change in leadership, employees of the former ruler scurry to find an assassin who can get past telepathic guards. But when one employee switches sides, troubling facts about the lottery system come to light, and it just might not be possible for anyone to win.

From the rear cover

In 2203 anyone can become the ruler of the solar system. There are no elections, no interviews, no prerequisites whatsoever it all comes down to the random turns of a giant wheel. But when a new Quizmaster takes over, the old one still keeps some rights, namely the right to hire an unending stream of assassins to attempt to kill the new leader.In the wake of the most recent change in leadership, employees of the former ruler scurry to find an assassin who can get past telepathic guards. But when one employee switches sides, troubling facts about the lottery system come to light, and it just might not be possible for anyone to win.

PHILIP K. DICK (1928 1982) wrote 121 short stories and 45 novels and is considered one of the most visionary authors of the twentieth century. His work is included in the Library of America and has been translated into more than twenty-five languages. Eleven works have been adapted to film, including Blade Runner (based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Total Recall, Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly.

"

First Edition Identification

Solar Lottery was first published in 1955, bound tête-bêche with The Big Jump by Leigh Bracket as one half of Ace Double D-103, featuring cover art by Ed Valigursky. The standard format edition of the novel wasn't published until 1959.

Details

  • Title Solar Lottery
  • Author Philip K. Dick
  • Binding Paperback
  • Edition Reprint
  • Pages 208
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Mariner Books Classics, New York
  • Date 2012-08-14
  • ISBN 9780547572611 / 0547572611
  • Weight 0.4 lbs (0.18 kg)
  • Dimensions 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.5 in (20.07 x 13.21 x 1.27 cm)
  • Library of Congress subjects Science fiction, Lotteries
  • Library of Congress Catalog Number 2012015516
  • Dewey Decimal Code FIC

About the author

Over a writing career that spanned three decades, PHILIP K. DICK (1928-1982) published 36 science fiction novels and 121 short stories in which he explored the essence of what makes man human and the dangers of centralized power. Toward the end of his life, his work turned to deeply personal, metaphysical questions concerning the nature of God. Eleven novels and short stories have been adapted to film, notably, Blade Runner (based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Total Recall, Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly. The recipient of critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout his career, Dick was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2005, and in 2007 the Library of America published a selection of his novels in three volumes. His work has been translated into more than twenty-five languages.
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