The Shrouded Planet is a 1957 science fiction novel published under the name "Robert Randall," but actually the collaborative work of two writers, Robert Silverberg and Randall Garrett. It consists of three linked stories, each originally published separately in the magazine Astounding Science Fiction. Linking chapters were added for book release. The first book printing, by Gnome Press in New York, was small and did not sell well. This and the sequel novel, The Dawning Light were reprinted 25 years later, and well received.
The original stories, with first publication information are:
- The Chosen People Astounding Jun '56
- The Promised Land Astounding Aug '56
- False Prophet Astounding Dec '56 (also front cover art)
All the stories relate to the fictional planet Nidor, and the effects on its humanoid inhabitants of the coming of Earthmen, humans with advanced technology and apparently benevolent motives. The common thread is a family, beginning with Kiv peGanz Brajjyd, his daughter Sindi, and her son Norvis. Each contributes to the slow breakdown of Nidorian society, which is apparently what the Earthmen really want. But why ?
Read more about The Shrouded Planet: Plot Summary, Reception
Famous quotes containing the words shrouded and/or planet:
“Spite of all the Indian-summer sunlight on the hither side of Hawthorne’s soul, the other side—like the dark half of the physical sphere—is shrouded in a blackness, ten times black.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)
“Thus will the fondest dream of Phallic science be realized: a pristine new planet populated entirely by little boy clones of great scientific entrepeneurs ... free to smash atoms, accelerate particles, or, if they are so moved, build pyramids—without any social relevance or human responsibility at all.”
—Barbara Ehrenreich (b. 1941)