Keith Laumer is best known for his Retief and BOLO science fiction series. But, from time to time, Laumer would explore other science fiction themes in individual novels. The Infinite Cage begins with a man who’s lost his memory escaping from a police station. The man calls himself “Adam” and runs a gauntlet of social problems: getting a job, learning about women, dealing with corruption. Laumer tells this parable to expose the social problems and inequalities of our culture as Adam tries to “fit in.” Despite Adam’s ability to read minds, his ability to learn a language in minutes, his success in the stock market, disaster after disaster dogs him. If you’re looking for an unusual social parable, give The Infinite Cage a try.
Laumer was largely a by-the-numbers sci-fi hack, but his writing was easy to take. Or leave alone.
Sadly, Laumer suffered from Alzheimer’s in his later years, Dan. Jim Baen tried to help Laumer by publishing some of his books. But you can see a vast falling-off in quality in those later books.
Might work out for Phil’s dystopian/utopian course.
Unfortunately, THE INFINITE CAGE is out-of-print, Patti. Has Phil considered Margaret Atwood’s THE HANDMAID’S TALE? That’s one of the most dystopian novels I can think of.
Can’t agree with Dan. I think a lot of Laumer’s work is quite good. Haven’t read this one, though.
Dan might be referring to those late Laumer novels, Bill. But his early work, like A TRACE OF MEMORY, WORLDS OF THE IMPERIUM, and the Retief series are wonderful!
Another author I’ve never read.
*sigh*
If you’re interested, I can send you some Keith Laumer books, Jeff. I have multiple copies.
DINOSAUR BEACH is one of my favorite time travel novels, with the early DAW edition graced by a great Kelly Freas cover. I believe the opening scenes take place in Buffalo, George.
Laumer’s work had some flaws, but where other writers only pay lip-service to the idea of conflict and tension, he usually managed to put some on every page. Laumer also knew how to move a story along at an almost manic clip. Too many science fiction novels are almost bovine in their size and lack of agility.
You’re right about Laumer knowing how to move a story along, Drongo. Some of Laumer’s novels move at breakneck speed. A TRACE OF MEMORY comes to mind. And, yes, DINOSAUR BEACH does begin in Buffalo.
I’ve only read the Retief books, which I enjoyed a lot.
You would like Laumer’s IMPERIUM novels, Rick. BAEN BOOKS reprinted them a couple years ago so they’re available.
From your description, I’d guess this has a bit of the Retief brand of humor. That so?
THE INFINITE CAGE is more of a social critique, Evan. Yes, there’s humor, but it’s dark.
Laumer had a series of increasingly debilitating strokes…did he contract Alzheimer’s atop that? Some people are Born Lucky. Of all the interviews Charles Platt conducted for DREAM MAKERS and DREAM MAKERS II, Laumer’s is certainly the most dramatic, as the survivor of one big stroke who vows to fix up the rusted-out American luxury cars he’s accumulated as a sort of therpeutic project.
The next one to look up if you haven’t is EARTHBLOOD by Laumer and Rosel George Brown. If you think of him as solely the Retief guy, that one will suprise you as well. And she’s too forgotten as well.
I remember reading EARTHBLOOD and being able to discern which parts Laumer wrote and which parts Rosel George Brown wrote, Todd. The styles were very different.
And, of course, there’s no shortage of good to brilliant (and incredibly awful) dystopian/utopian vision fiction. Joanna Russ’s THE FEMALE MAN is an excellent subject for study, as it presents at least two almost inarguable dystopias and a very arguable utopia along with a recognizable portrait of the 1975 here and now. A much subtler and more profound book than the Atwood, and dealing with most of the same issues and more.
I always admired John Boyd’s THE LAST STARSHIP FROM EARTH, Todd. Very dystopian in a memorable way.