Prospector's Special
The story takes place on a planet where the inhabitants are genetically engineered to be perfect and conform to societal norms. The protagonist is a prospector who travels through space in search of valuable artifacts. He discovers a mysterious object that allows him to alter reality, but at a terrible cost. As he uses the object's power, he becomes increasingly isolated from society and his own humanity.
By Robert Sheckley · First published 1959 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Satire · 10,535 words
First lines
The sandcar moved smoothly over the rolling dunes, its six fat wheels rising and falling like the ponderous rumps of tandem elephants. The hidden sun beat down from a dead-white sky, pouring heat into the canvas top, reflecting heat back from the parched sand.
"Stay awake," Morrison told himself, pulling the sandcar back to its compass course.
What this Textopian page supports
Prospector's Special is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert Sheckley, dated 1959 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Robert Sheckley
- Date: 1959 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Satire, Fantasy, Humor
- Length: 10,535 words
- Structure: 1 section, 345 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Prospector's Special by Robert Sheckley
- 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
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Prospector's Special?
- How does this novel by Robert Sheckley fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative is set in a futuristic, extraterrestrial environment, exploring themes of survival, technology, and human ambition.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a perilous journey through a harsh desert landscape in search of fortune, facing numerous challenges and dangers.
- Satire — The story critiques the greed and desperation of prospectors, highlighting the absurdities of their pursuits and the harsh realities of life on Venus.
- Fantasy — Elements of the narrative, such as the whimsical nature of the Prospector's Special and the anthropomorphized robot, lend a fantastical quality to the story.
Tags
Science Fiction · Humor · Satire · Adventure · Space Opera · Alien Invasion · Social Commentary · Absurdism · Parody · Speculative Fiction · Future Society · Utopia/Dystopia