In a dystopian future, the world has been ravaged by war and environmental disasters. The remaining population lives in sprawling metropolises where technology has advanced to the point of near-singularity. The story follows a young man who works as a sweeper, tasked with cleaning up the streets and alleys of one such city. His life is mundane and unfulfilling until he stumbles upon an underground movement that seeks to overthrow the tyrannical government. As the protagonist becomes more involved with the resistance, he discovers that the world is not what it seems. The government's control is far-reaching, and the people are living in a state of constant surveillance and oppression. The sweeper must navigate this treacherous landscape, confronting the harsh realities of his world and deciding where his loyalties truly lie.
By Robert Sheckley · First published 1958 · Genre: Science Fiction, Satire, Fantasy