Norstrilia — Cordwainer Smith, Ballantine AF #95

🚀 Norstrilia is the only full-length novel by Cordwainer Smith (the pen name of Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger, 1913–1966), a U.S. Army officer, political scientist, and one of the most original voices in 20th-century science fiction. First published in 1975 by Ballantine Books as part of the Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series, Norstrilia is assembled from fourteen previously published stories that together form a complete narrative set in Smith’s beloved Instrumentality of Mankind universe.

This copy is a third printing from November 1978 (ISBN 0-345-27800-3), with cover art by Gray Morrow. Published as “A Del Rey Book” by Ballantine Books, a division of Random House.

Quick Facts

• Author: Cordwainer Smith (Paul Linebarger, 1913–1966)
• First Published: February 1975 (Ballantine Books, Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series)
• This Copy: Third Printing, November 1978
• Publisher: Ballantine Books (“A Del Rey Book”)
• ISBN: 0-345-27800-3
• Cover Art: Gray Morrow
• Copyright: © 1975 by Genevieve Labeau (Linebarger’s widow)
• Format: Vintage paperback, 317+ pages
• Condition: Very Good+. Vibrant Gray Morrow cover art, spine square and free from curl or creases. Some slight edge wear. Lightly age-toned text block. Excellent binding, square and tight. No loose, torn, or folded pages. “BC” initialed inside front cover.

About the Novel

Norstrilia tells the story of Rod McBan, the 151st of his name, a telepathic “Old Strong” from the planet Norstrilia (officially Old North Australia), where super-sheep produce the immortality drug stroon. After passing the deadly test of the Garden of Death, McBan discovers he is a telepathic cripple — a danger to Norstrilia, his enemies claim, as owner of the guarded planet’s key landholding: the Station of Doom. The only road to safety, his computer tells him, is to become the richest man in the universe. And he does, in one crowded, unbelievable night.

Originally published as two separate novellas — The Planet Buyer (1964) and The Underpeople (1968) — the complete novel weaves these stories together with additional material into a single narrative. The novel has been described as a “fairy-tale setting” where “Smith offers some unforgettable visions” (New York Times Book Review), and is considered a major portion of his epic Instrumentality of Mankind, which “stands as one of the great achievements of imaginative writing.”

Smith’s work blends fairy-tale aesthetics with hard science fiction concepts, creating a universe of unparalleled uniqueness. His influence extends far beyond his small body of work: he is widely regarded as a precursor to the New Wave and cyberpunk movements, and his concepts of the Underpeople and the Instrumentality have inspired countless science fiction writers.

Contents

• Prologue (p. 1)
• The Gate of the Garden of the Old Broken Treasures in the Gap (p. 15)
• The Palace of the Governor of Night (p. 168)
• The Eye upon the Sparrow (p. 186)
• The Nearby Exile (p. 204)
• The High Sky Flying (p. 215)
• The Road to the Catmaster (p. 229)
• Everybody’s Fond of Money (p. 244)
• Tootig Amaral (p. 263)
• Birds, Far Underground (p. 276)
• His Own Strange Altar (p. 290)
• Counsels, Councils, Consoles and Consuls (p. 304)
• About the Author (p. 317)

FAQ

Q: What is Norstrilia?
A: Norstrilia is the only full-length novel by Cordwainer Smith, first published in 1975. It is assembled from fourteen previously published stories set in the Instrumentality of Mankind universe, telling the story of Rod McBan, a telepathic boy from the planet Norstrilia who becomes the richest man in the universe.

Q: What is the Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series?
A: The Ballantine Adult Fantasy Series was a prestigious reprint series published by Ballantine Books from 1969 to 1974, edited by Lin Carter. It featured classic works of fantasy and science fiction. This Norstrilia edition carries the Ballantine Adult Fantasy branding on the front cover.

Q: What is the condition of this copy?
A: Very Good+ condition. Vibrant Gray Morrow cover art, spine square and free from curl or creases. Some slight edge wear. Lightly age-toned text block. Excellent binding, square and tight. No loose, torn, or folded pages. “BC” initialed inside front cover.

Condition Report

Very Good+ vintage paperback. Vibrant, evocative cover art by Gray Morrow. Spine is square and free from curl or creases. Some slight edge wear. Text block lightly age-toned. Binding excellent, square and tight. No loose, torn, or folded pages. “BC” initialed inside front cover.

Will ship promptly, carefully packaged.

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