A Bad Day for Vermin by Keith Laumer
The story takes place on a planet where the native inhabitants are intelligent rodents who have developed a complex society. The protagonist is a human who has been sent to this planet to observe and report on its culture. However, he soon finds himself caught up in a conflict between rival factions of rodents vying for power. As tensions escalate, the human becomes embroiled in a plot to overthrow the ruling rodent faction, which is led by a cunning and ruthless leader. The protagonist must navigate this treacherous landscape while trying to maintain his cover and avoid being discovered as an outsider. Throughout the story, the author explores themes of power, politics, and the nature of civilization, raising questions about what it means to be intelligent and civilized.
By Keith Laumer · First published 1972 · Genre: Science Fiction, Satire, Fantasy · 2,668 words
First lines
They came In friendship and love. They couldn't help the way they looked!
Judge Carter Gates of the Third Circuit Court finished his chicken salad on whole wheat, thoughtfully crumpled the waxed paper bag and turned to drop it in the waste basket behind his chair -- and sat transfixed.
What this Textopian page supports
A Bad Day for Vermin is listed on Textopian as a novel by Keith Laumer, dated 1972 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Keith Laumer
- Date: 1972 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Satire, Fantasy, Political Fiction, Humor
- Length: 2,668 words
- Structure: 1 section, 80 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Bad Day for Vermin by Keith Laumer
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The plot involves extraterrestrial beings and explores themes of intelligence and personhood, typical of the science fiction genre.
- Satire — The narrative critiques societal attitudes towards aliens and the definition of humanity, using humor and exaggeration to highlight absurdities.
- Fantasy — The presence of a fantastical alien creature and the imaginative setting contribute to elements commonly found in fantasy literature.
- Political Fiction — The story addresses political and legal implications of defining personhood and the societal response to an alien presence.
Tags
Science Fiction · Humor · Adventure · Space Opera · Satire · Alien Invasion · Military Science Fiction · Action · Comedy · Speculative Fiction · Parody · Farce