Starswarm

Explore the fate of humankind across the stars in this classic collection of stories by the Hugo and Nebula Award–winning author of the Helliconia trilogy.

“Aldiss’ stories are cleverly conceived and deeply felt.” —The A.V. Club

In the far-distant future, refugees from Earth leave their dying planet behind for a wondrous galactic cluster known as “Starswarm.”

Originally published in 1963, Starswarm takes readers on a grand tour of the civilizations inhabiting this galaxy’s vast sectors through a series of eight interconnected stories. Discover the strange new worlds and how humans have adapted to their new homes. A young man must make contact with an alien for the sake of his government. A new drug empowers soldiers at a great cost. A man and woman travel to a promised utopia only to be consumed with regret. A seasoned explorer crashes into what he believes is a primitive society. Something horrifying lies buried in the mud. A hero treks through a world full of a putrid stench. Witness the remnants of humanity as they struggle to survive and shape their destinies amidst harsh landscapes. Each world is different from the next, but all of them could only come from the mind of Science Fiction Grand Master.

“Aldiss . . . has sufficient integrity never to put a piece of paper into his typewriter before he has hit on a really original idea. [Starswarm] is a perfect example of this.” —Oxford Mail

“Given the brilliant success of [the Helliconia series], I would say Mr. Aldiss is now in competition with no one but himself.” —The New York Times Book Review