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Cover of The Stars My Destination
Science Fiction· United States

The Stars My Destination

by Alfred Bester
Aggregate Editorial Score38/100
TIME 100 Best Novels
Published 1956244 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Published in 1956, The Stars My Destination established Alfred Bester as one of the defining voices in science fiction. Gully Foyle, an ordinary spaceman marooned and seeking revenge, transforms himself into one of the most powerful beings in the solar system in Bester's kinetic, ahead-of-its-time cyberpunk precursor. Often called the greatest science fiction novel of the 1950s. Themes of revenge, identity, transformation run through the work. The book has received recognition from TIME 100 Best Novels 1956.

Book Details

AuthorAlfred Bester
Published1956
Country of Origin🇺🇸 United States
LanguageEnglish
Pages244
Category🚀 Science Fiction
ISBN9780679767800
Editorial Score38/100
About the Category

🚀 Science Fiction

Speculative fiction exploring technology, space, the future, and society.

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Country of Origin

🇺🇸 United States

This book is part of United States's rich literary tradition.

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Editorial Assessment

First published in 1956, Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination is a work of science fiction that has drawn sustained interest from critics and prize committees alike. Its engagement with revenge, identity, transformation, teleportation gives the book a depth that extends well beyond its genre. Among its recognitions: TIME 100 Best Novels 1956. With an editorial score of 38/100 drawn from 1 independent sources, the book occupies a well-documented position in the critical literature. Its recognition spans international prizes, "best of" lists, and academic surveys. The appeal of The Stars My Destination lies partly in its refusal to offer easy answers. Its exploration of revenge, identity, transformation, teleportation is sustained, textured, and genuinely thought-provoking in ways that stay with readers well after the final page. Within United States's literary landscape, Alfred Bester occupies a significant position. The Stars My Destination is both a personal artistic statement and a contribution to a tradition shaped by the country's history and cultural concerns.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 1 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

TIME 100 Best Novels
notable · global
195613
✍️
About the Author
Alfred Bester
United States
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Alfred Bester is a celebrated author from United States known for influential works of science fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Stars My Destination about?

Gully Foyle, an ordinary spaceman marooned and seeking revenge, transforms himself into one of the most powerful beings in the solar system in Bester's kinetic, ahead-of-its-time cyberpunk precursor. Often called the greatest science fiction novel of the 1950s.

Who wrote The Stars My Destination?

The Stars My Destination was written by Alfred Bester, from United States. First published in 1956.

What awards has The Stars My Destination won?

The Stars My Destination has received the following awards and honours: TIME 100 Best Novels 1956.

Is The Stars My Destination worth reading?

The Stars My Destination is a book that has earned critical recognition, with an aggregate editorial score of 13/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 1 editorial source. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in revenge, identity, transformation.

Where can I buy The Stars My Destination?

You can buy The Stars My Destination on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Stars My Destination?

The Stars My Destination is classified as Science Fiction. Speculative fiction exploring technology, space, the future, and society.

What country is The Stars My Destination from?

The Stars My Destination originates from United States's literary tradition. Explore more books from United States on our country page.

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