Synopsis
Rogue Winter, a Maori, tracks the Manchu Duke of Death across the solar system in order to set free Rogue's kidnapped lover, Demi Jeroux
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review
Way back in the 1950s, Alfred Bester established himself as one of the greats of SF with a number of dazzling short stories and two major novels: The Demolished Man (1953) and The Stars My Destination (1956, also known as Tiger! Tiger!), both much reprinted. The Deceivers, his final SF novel, appeared in 1981.
It's a colourful, whimsical romp that plays entertainingly with themes from Bester's peak years, though without his old driving, compelling savagery. Hero Rogue Winter is a "Synergist", acutely sensitive to the world's patterns: in one set-piece sequence he follows an intuitive trail from 12 drummers drumming in a street parade, to the goal of a (metaphorical) partridge in a pear tree. Winter is also heir-apparent to the Maori Mafia which controls much of the Solar System's crime, but must single-handedly battle the dread mammoths of Ganymede to earn his crown, and meanwhile has fallen helplessly in love with a sexy non-human shapeshifter from Titan, making him vulnerable to minions of the insidious Manchu Duke of Death who plans to smash the syndicate that's smuggling the priceless miracle fuel Meta from the heavily defended mines of Saturn's Chinese/Japanese-dominated moon Triton...
Bester crams this wild farrago of a narrative with wisecracks, junk science, circus glamour, odd catchphrases, bits of self-conscious cleverness and excess, Chinese esoterica like the Mirror-and-Listen Mystery, and his trademark typographic tricks. Amusing candyfloss nonsense; quite readable, but definitely not in the same league as his 1950s classics. --David Langford
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for The Deceivers
Stock Image
The Deceivers
Seller: BookHolders, Towson, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Fair. [ No Hassle 30 Day Returns ][ Ships Daily ] [ Underlining/Highlighting: NONE ] [ Writing: NONE ] [ Edition: Reprint ] Publisher: Tor Books Pub Date: 1/1/1982 Binding: Paperback Pages: 304 Reprint edition. Seller Inventory # 6489970
Stock Image
The Deceivers
Seller: BooksRun, Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Fair. The item might be beaten up but readable. May contain markings or highlighting, as well as stains, bent corners, or any other major defect, but the text is not obscured in any way. Seller Inventory # 0523485247-7-1
Stock Image
The Deceivers
Seller: Wonder Book, Frederick, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Seller Inventory # F04Q-00394
Seller Image
The Deceivers
Published by
Tor Books / Tom Doherty Associates, Inc., New York, New York, 1982
ISBN 10: 0523485247
ISBN 13: 9780523485249
Used
Mass Market Paperback
First Edition
Seller: Adventures Underground, Richland, WA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Mass Market Paperback. Condition: Good+. No Jacket. First Thus. Standard used reading condition or better. Used Book. Seller Inventory # 861535
Stock Image
The Deceivers
Seller: Paisleyhaze Books, New Hartford, CT, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft cover. Condition: Near Fine. TOR Books paperback #48-524-7, 1982-1st printing, cover price $2.50; clean/tight, No marks-No spine creasing, minimal wear; (Near Fine) . We will bubble wrap the book and ship it in a New BOX- Not a plastic bag like the zombie sellers. Seller Inventory # PB4039
Stock Image
The Deceivers [First Mass-Market Publication!]
Seller: Eric James, Lewisporte, NL, Canada
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Soft Cover. Condition: Very Good. First Thus. Mass market paperback, 304 pages including black-and-white illustrations; just a hint of spine creasing, spine slightly slanted, tiny traces of shelf wear, but very gently read, very clean and unmarked throughout. See also our other Bester titles (buy two or more and save on postage!). Seller Inventory # 043554
Seller Image
The Deceivers
Seller: Southampton Books, Sag Harbor, NY, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. FIRST THUS. First Edition Thus, First Printing. Not price-clipped. Published by Tor Books, 1982. 12mo. Paperback. Book is very good with small stain on vertical page end. Covers have some light shelf wear. 100% positive feedback. 30 day money back guarantee. NEXT DAY SHIPPING! Excellent customer service. Please email with any questions. All books packed carefully and ship with free delivery confirmation/tracking. All books come with free bookmarks. Ships from Sag Harbor, New York. Seller Inventory # 415021
Stock Image
The Deceivers
Seller: Zardoz Books, Westbury, WILTS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
First Thus. Condition: fine. 1st Tor 1982 edition paperback fine In stock shipped from our UK warehouse. Seller Inventory # 30911
Buy Used
£ 3.95
£ 19.95 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Deceivers
Seller: Zardoz Books, Westbury, WILTS, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Condition: vg++. vg++ 1st TOR 1982 edition paperback, In stock shipped from our UK warehouse. Seller Inventory # 106533
Buy Used
£ 3.95
£ 19.95 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
The Deceivers
Published by
Tor Books, 1982
ISBN 10: 0523485247
ISBN 13: 9780523485249
Used
Softcover
First Edition
Seller: Barksdale Books, Almere, Netherlands
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: Fair. Rogue Winter, a Maori, tracks the Manchu Duke of Death across the solar system in order to set free Rogue's kidnapped lover, Demi Jeroux; Redelijk/goed. TOR pocket 1st printing 1982. Schoon en fris binnenwerk. Licht scheef gelezen bokeblok met paar dunne leeslijntjes in de rug. Randen omslag lichte slijtage / gebruiksspoortje. Seller Inventory # 911202
Buy Used
£ 8.88
£ 17.25 shipping
Ships from Netherlands to U.S.A.
Ships from Netherlands to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available