"The Status Civilization" by Robert Sheckley, 1960

"The Status Civilization" by Robert Sheckley, 1960

Robert Sheckley deftly manipulates — in a mere (but dense) 127 pages — a plot straight from the pulps involving prison planets and gladiatorial fights against terrifying robots into a scathing and artfully constructed work of satire.

Due to the almost novella length of The Status Civilization do not expect any unnecessary declamations on technology or the nature of the world or government or endless interior character monologues for Sheckley clearly prefers — and revels in — the shorter form.

Told with energy and wit The Status Civilization (1960) is a fast and enjoyable read.  Highly recommended for all fans of 50s/early 60s science fiction dystopia (you get two dystopic worlds in this novel)  — especially of the satirical bent.

You may read this book free now online via ProjectGutenberg:
http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/20919

My Rating: ★★★★☆ (4 out of 5 stars) - I really liked it.


Book Description found on book jacket:

Will Barrent had no memory of his crime . . . but he found himself shipped across space to a brutal prison-planet. On Omega, his only chance to advance himself -- and stay alive -- is to commit an endless series of violent crimes. The average inmate's life expectancy from time of arrival is three years. Can Barrett survive, escape, and return to Earth to clear his name?

Plot Summary as found on wikipedia.org:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Status_Civilization