Scanners Live in Vain by Cordwainer Smith
The novel is set in a distant future where humanity has colonized other planets and formed the Instrumentality of Mankind. The story follows a group of characters known as the "Instrumentalities" who possess advanced technology that allows them to manipulate reality. The protagonist, a young man with a unique genetic makeup, discovers he has the ability to see into the past and future through his "G'Kuk" eyes. He becomes embroiled in a conflict between rival factions vying for control of the Instrumentality. As the story unfolds, the protagonist's abilities are revealed to be connected to an ancient prophecy that foretells the downfall of the Instrumentality. The novel explores themes of power, identity, and the consequences of playing with forces beyond human control.
By Cordwainer Smith · First published 1965 · Genre: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Speculative Fiction · 5 chapters · 16,192 words
First lines
Martel was angry. He did not even adjust his blood away from anger. He stamped across the room by judgment, not by sight. When he saw the table hit the floor, and could tell by the expression on Luci's face that the table must have made a loud crash, he looked down to see if his leg were broken. It was not. Scanner to the core, he had to scan himself. The action was reflex and automatic. The inventory included his legs, abdomen, Chestbox of instruments, hands, arms, face and back with the Mirror. Only then did Martel go back to being angry. He talked with his voice, even though he knew that his wife hated its blare and preferred to have him write.
What this Textopian page supports
Scanners Live in Vain is listed on Textopian as a novel by Cordwainer Smith, dated 1965 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Cordwainer Smith
- Date: 1965 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Dystopian, Speculative Fiction, Philosophical Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 16,192 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 434 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Scanners Live in Vain by Cordwainer Smith
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative explores advanced technology, space travel, and the implications of human enhancement.
- Dystopian — The story presents a future society with oppressive structures and the consequences of a loss of individuality.
- Speculative Fiction — The work speculates on the nature of consciousness and the human experience in a technologically advanced world.
- Philosophical Fiction — Themes of identity, existence, and the human condition are central to the narrative.
Tags
Science Fiction · Space Opera · Utopian · Dystopian · Anthology · Short Story Collection · Future History · Interstellar Travel · Alien Invasion · Human Evolution · Artificial Intelligence · Cyberpunk