The novel explores the concept of a writing class where students are forced to confront their own mortality and the meaninglessness of life through their writing assignments. The protagonist, a struggling writer, becomes increasingly disillusioned with the class's emphasis on creative expression over technical skill. As the story unfolds, the lines between reality and fiction blur, and the students' writing takes on a life of its own, reflecting their deepest fears and desires.
By Robert Sheckley · First published 1974 · Genre: Science Fiction, Satire, Literary Fiction