THE PAW OF GOD. London: Anthony Gibbs Library 33 Limited, [1967]. Octavo, boards. First British (and first hardcover) edition. "Two centuries in the future the 'Perfect World' -- Earth made utopia by the Great Computer, which has solved all political, moral, economic, and physical problems. It is a benevolent, automated, civilized world of happy people who have little to do but enjoy their gently hedonistic lives" (Berger). Malcontents like Carlin Glenmore, who find the "Perfect World" imperfect are given an "X" rating by the computer and face two choices: to be "Changed" into happy beings, but not quite their former selves, or martyrdom, exile to a planet in the Alpha Centauri system. "The novel closes with the 'X' martyrs gliding through space to fulfill man's cosmic destiny, leaving the 'Perfect World' to play out its illusions until the arrival of the inevitable and unending sleep" (Berger). Published earlier in the U.S. as UTOPIA MINUS X (1966). Berger, Science Fiction and the New Dark Age, pp. 72-5; 77. Brians, Nuclear Holocausts: Atomic War in Fiction, 1895-1984, p. 220. Clarke, Tale of the Future (1978), p. 154. Sargent, British and American Utopian Literature, 1516-1985, p. 299. Top edge of pages just a bit foxed, a fine copy in very good dust jacket with rubbing at edges, light wear at spine ends, and tiny closed tears at top and bottom edge of front spine fold. A very scarce edition of this novel. (#146413).
Price: $250.00
"First Published by Library 33 Ltd, 1967" on copyright page.