The King of The City by Keith Laumer
The King of The City is a science fiction novel by Keith Laumer. It is set in a future where the world is divided into two distinct societies: the City, a high-tech utopia, and the Outlands, a lawless wasteland. In the City, the citizens are ruled by a powerful artificial intelligence known as the King. The King is a benevolent dictator, providing the citizens with a perfect life of luxury and comfort. But the King is not without its flaws, and its power is slowly eroding. Meanwhile, in the Outlands, a group of rebels is plotting to overthrow the King and take control of the City. Led by a mysterious figure known only as the Prophet, the rebels are determined to bring freedom and justice to the City. The King of The City follows the story of a young man named John, who is caught between the two worlds. He must choose between the safety and comfort of the City, or the freedom and justice of the Outlands. As the conflict between the two sides intensifies, John must decide which side he will fight for.
By Keith Laumer · First published 1961 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure · 5 chapters · 14,472 words
First lines
He was a sort of taxi-driver, delivering a commuter to the city. The tank traps and armored cars were the hazards of the trade!
I stood in the shadows and looked across at the rundown lot with the windblown trash packed against the wire mesh barrier fence and the yellow glare panel that said HAUG ESCORT. There was a row of city-scarred hacks parked on the cracked ramp. They hadn't suffered the indignity of a wash-job for a long time. And the two-story frame building behind them -- that had once been somebody's country house -- now showed no paint except the foot-high yellow letters over the office door.
What this Textopian page supports
The King of The City is listed on Textopian as a novel by Keith Laumer, 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: Keith Laumer
- Date: 1961 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Mystery
- Length: 14,472 words
- Structure: 5 chapters, 418 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The King of The City by Keith Laumer
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The King of The City?
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- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The book is set in a futuristic city and follows the story of a king who is trying to save it from destruction.
- Fantasy — The book contains elements of fantasy, such as magical creatures and powers, which are used to help the king save the city.
- Adventure — The book follows the king's journey as he embarks on a quest to save the city from destruction, encountering various obstacles along the way.
- Mystery — The book contains elements of mystery, as the king must uncover the truth behind the city's destruction and find a way to save it.
Tags
Science Fiction · across · arena · back · came · car · city · could · door · get · got · gun