- Paperback: 288 pages
- Publisher: Gollancz; paperback / softback edition (13 Mar 2008)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0575082178
- ISBN-13: 978-0575082175
- Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 2 x 19.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 110,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
Land Of The Headless (Gollancz S.F.)
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Product Description
Review
"The first person narrative is as peculiar as it is brilliant, the satire subtle and discomforting and the level of invention impressive. One of current sci-fi's most original writers. Watch out for this one on the award shortlists." (Matt Coward MORNING STAR )
"It's all that SF should be, packed with brilliant ideas and clever examinations of the human condition. So hats off, if not heads, to Roberts." (Guy Hayley DEATHRAY )
"This is a subtle parable, in a grave, perfectly appropriate voice." (Andrew McKie THE TELEGRAPH )
"Land of the Headless is a darkly satirical tale that extrapolates an absurd idea into something weirdly plausible. This is not escapist adventure but a dystopian vision in the tradition of Swift, Orwell and Atwood against the cruellest extremes of human stupidity." (Lisa Tuttle THE TIMES )
"A self consciously mannered moral fable in the style of Gulliver's Travel's or Pilgrim's progress. A voyage of self-discovery that satirises war, fundamentalist religion and love." (Dave Golder SFX )
"Often charming and thought-provoking. Audacious high concept." (Dave Golder FOCUS ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
"It's all that SF should be, packed with brilliant ideas and clever examinations of the human condition. So hats off, if not heads, to Roberts." (Guy Hayley DEATHRAY )
"This is a subtle parable, in a grave, perfectly appropriate voice." (Andrew McKie THE TELEGRAPH )
"Land of the Headless is a darkly satirical tale that extrapolates an absurd idea into something weirdly plausible. This is not escapist adventure but a dystopian vision in the tradition of Swift, Orwell and Atwood against the cruellest extremes of human stupidity." (Lisa Tuttle THE TIMES )
"A self consciously mannered moral fable in the style of Gulliver's Travel's or Pilgrim's progress. A voyage of self-discovery that satirises war, fundamentalist religion and love." (Dave Golder SFX )
"Often charming and thought-provoking. Audacious high concept." (Dave Golder FOCUS ) --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Guy Hayley, DEATHRAY
"It's all that SF should be, packed with brilliant ideas and clever examinations of the human condition. So hats off, if not heads, to Roberts."
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a great premise, people who 'break' the strict law are beheaded and their conciousness is downloaded into a device their have on the small of their back. They then have to live the rest of their life seeing, and eating through artificial appendages
Apart from this great and original sci-fi premise the rest of the story is a more human tale of a rather obsessed headless character called Jon Cavala. His tale of obsession with love and revenge is the central theme that runs through the book but it's also a story of hardship and prejudice.
It is not an easy read, the injustices he faces along with his fellow headless and violence perpetrated against them creates a sense of anger throughout but it is a page turner and the writing and description is first class.
A worthy read with a great ending.
Apart from this great and original sci-fi premise the rest of the story is a more human tale of a rather obsessed headless character called Jon Cavala. His tale of obsession with love and revenge is the central theme that runs through the book but it's also a story of hardship and prejudice.
It is not an easy read, the injustices he faces along with his fellow headless and violence perpetrated against them creates a sense of anger throughout but it is a page turner and the writing and description is first class.
A worthy read with a great ending.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I was unsettled by the barbaric nature of the punishment but stuck with the story. Much of the phraseology is what you might expect from the English middle ages but it fits in with the story. It's not what you could call hard science fiction but a projection of what a devoutly religious civilization could become if it did not reject all new developments. I recommend it as it's a good story in its own right. It also has a good ending which is a bit rare these days.
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This excellent book is comparable to Salt and Gradisil in regards to the first person narrative and also equal in terms of quality to those books (his best work). The novel covers the issue of revenge, the meaning of love and you will understand how unfair and unpleasant it is to face injustice and prejudice at the bottom of society's food chain. The middle section follows a futuristic war from the point of view of the poor drafted infantry through brutal training to repetitive but deadly missions in a foreign war zone. An interesting aspect of this is the nature of the computer controlled battles and the cool way in which hacking plays a role. There is plenty of mystery and adventure to go with the political science and the ending is extremely satisfying. Read this, then go and buy Salt and Gradisil at least.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent and Intelligent science-fiction
In a society governed by extremist religious ideology, a man is convicted of adultery and sentenced to beheading. Read more
Published on 31 Oct 2009 by Dublinia
Bizarre and surprisingly gripping!
I'm not sure why I liked this novel quite as much as I did. As has been stated, the protagonist is not a likable character, often infuriating, and the central concept takes some... Read more
Published on 10 April 2009 by D. Reynolds
A difficult book to review
I found much of the book to be fairly dull and at times difficult to read. I liked the ideas in the book, but I really disliked the main character which at times made the book drag... Read more
Published on 11 Jun 2008 by Mr. A. J. D. White
Irritating, frustrating and engaging read
This was a toughy - the hero of the story by turns was self pitying , self deluding, and a whiner but ultimately, and you need to perserve here until almost the end of the book... Read more
Published on 2 Nov 2007 by A. J. Sudworth
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