The Man who Staked the Stars
This novel explores a future where humanity has colonized other planets and formed a galactic government. The story follows a young man who becomes involved with an alien being from a distant planet. As their relationship deepens, the boundaries between human and non-human are blurred, raising questions about identity, culture, and the nature of consciousness.
By Katherine MacLean · First published 1953 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Drama · 9 chapters · 30,194 words
First lines
_Bryce Carter could afford a smug smile. For hadn't he risen / gloriously from Thieves Row to director of famed U. T.? Was / not Earth, Moon, and all the Belt, at this very moment / awaiting his command for the grand coup? And wasn't his / cousin-from-Montehedo a star-sent help? _
"What do I do for a living? " repeated the slim dark-skinned young man in the next seat of the Earth-Moon liner. "I'm a witch doctor," he answered with complete sincerity.
What this Textopian page supports
The Man who Staked the Stars is listed on Textopian as a novel by Katherine MacLean, dated 1953 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Katherine MacLean
- Date: 1953 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Drama, Speculative Fiction, Literary Fiction
- Length: 30,194 words
- Structure: 9 chapters, 588 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Man who Staked the Stars by Katherine MacLean
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The plot revolves around futuristic concepts and explores themes of space exploration and human interaction with technology.
- Adventure — The narrative includes elements of exploration and the challenges faced by characters in uncharted territories.
- Drama — The story delves into the emotional and psychological struggles of the characters, highlighting their personal growth and conflicts.
- Speculative Fiction — The work speculates on potential future scenarios and the implications of scientific advancements.
Tags
Science Fiction · Space Opera · First Contact · Alien Invasion · Human Evolution · Social Commentary · Psychological Thriller · Existential Crisis · Philosophical Themes · Speculative Fiction · Interstellar Travel · Advanced Technology