The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison
In a dystopian future, interstellar travel has been achieved through the use of wormholes. The protagonist, a charismatic and cunning thief known only by his alias, is a master of disguise and deception. He lives on a planet where crime is rampant and the authorities are corrupt. The Stainless Steel Rat's latest scheme involves stealing a valuable artifact from a powerful crime lord. However, things become complicated when he falls in love with the crime lord's daughter, who is also being pursued by a rival gang. As the protagonist navigates this complex web of intrigue, he must use his wits and cunning to stay one step ahead of his enemies and achieve his goals. Along the way, he must confront his own morality and the consequences of his actions. The novel explores themes of identity, loyalty, and the nature of good and evil in a world where right and wrong are often blurred.
By Harry Harrison · First published 1961 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Crime · 9,685 words
First lines
When the office door opened suddenly I knew the game was up. It had been a money-maker -- but it was all over. As the cop walked in I sat back in the chair and put on a happy grin. He had the same somber expression and heavy foot that they all have -- and the same lack of humor. I almost knew to the word what he was going to say before he uttered a syllable.
"James Bolivar diGriz I arrest you on the charge -- "
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The story is set in a futuristic universe with advanced technology, space travel, and robots, which are hallmarks of the science fiction genre.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on daring escapades, involving heists and escapes, which are central to adventure narratives.
- Crime — The plot revolves around the protagonist's criminal activities, including theft and evasion of law enforcement.
- Humor — The narrative includes witty and humorous elements, particularly in the protagonist's interactions and observations.
Tags
Science Fiction · Space Opera · Humor · Adventure · Heist Story · Satire · Pulp Fiction · Caper · Crime Fiction · Future History · Galactic Empire · Intergalactic Travel
What this Textopian page supports
The Stainless Steel Rat is listed on Textopian as a novel by Harry Harrison, dated 1961 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Harry Harrison
- Date: 1961 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Crime, Humor, Thriller
- Length: 9,685 words
- Structure: 1 section, 131 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Stainless Steel Rat by Harry Harrison
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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