Synopsis
The novel follows Anton, an undercover operative from the future planet Earth, in his mission on an alien planet, that is populated by human beings, whose society has not advanced beyond the Middle Ages. The novel's core idea is that human progress throughout the centuries is often cruel and bloody, and that religion and blind faith can be an effective tool of oppression, working to destroy the emerging scientific disciplines and enlightenment.
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Don Rumata has been sent from Earth to the medieval kingdom of Arkanar with instructions to observe and to save what he can. Masquerading as an arrogant nobleman, a dueler, and a brawler, he is never defeated, but yet he can never kill. With his doubt and compassion, and his deep love for a local girl named Kira, Rumata wants to save the kingdom from the machinations of Don Reba, the first minister to the king. But given his orders, what role can he play? This long overdue translation will reintroduce one of the most profound Soviet-era novels to an eager audience.
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky are widely known as the greatest Russian writers of science fiction, and their 1964 novel Hard to Be a God is considered one of the greatest of their works. Yet until now the only English version (unavailable for over thirty years) was based on a German translation, and was full of errors, infelicities, and misunderstandings. Now, in a new translation by Olena Bormashenko, whose translation of the authors’ Roadside Picnic has received widespread acclaim, here is the definitive edition of this brilliant work.
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About the Author
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky were famous and popular Russian writers of science fiction, with more than 25 novels and novellas to their names, including The Doomed City, The Inhabited Island, and Roadside Picnic. Their books have been widely translated and made into a number of films. Hari Kunzru is the author of several highly praised novels, including Gods Without Men and The Impressionist. Olena Bormashenko is the acclaimed translator of the Strugatskys’ Roadside Picnic.
Arkady and Boris Strugatsky were famous and popular Russian writers of science fiction, with more than 25 novels and novellas to their names, including The Doomed City, The Inhabited Island, and Roadside Picnic. Hari Kunzru is the author of several highly praised novels, including Gods Without Men and The Impressionist. Olena Bormashenko is the critically acclaimed translator of the Strugatskys’ Roadside Picnic.
Language Notes
Text: English, Russian (translation)
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Search results for Hard to be a God (A Continuum book)
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Hard to be a God (A Continuum book)
Seller: ThriftBooksVintage, Tukwila, WA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Fair. No Jacket. Dust jacket missing. Cover and binding are worn but intact. A reading copy in fair condition. Wear and tear on the boards. Stain and foxing on the edges. Notations made on a few pages. Secure packaging for safe delivery. Seller Inventory # 1761006955
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Hard to be a God (A Continuum book)
Seller: ThriftBooksVintage, Tukwila, WA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. Ex-Library copy with typical library marks and stamps. Dust jacket missing. Minor shelf and handling wear, overall a clean solid copy with minimal signs of use. Secure packaging for safe delivery. Seller Inventory # 1768518843
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Hard to Be a God (First Edition)
Published by
The Seabury Press, New York, 1973
ISBN 10: 0816491216
ISBN 13: 9780816491216
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Royal Books, Inc., ABAA, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
First Edition. First Edition in English, preceding the UK edition that was published by Methuen two years later. Quite scarce in jacket. An intense work of speculative science fiction, basis for the challenging and highly praised 2013 film (which played festivals only for a few years, not distributed until 2015) by Aleksey German. Very Good plus in a moderately rubbed, Very Good plus dust jacket. Small college library stamp on the front endpaper and top page edges, else no other library markings. Seller Inventory # 136313
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Hard to be a God
Published by
Seabury Press, New York, 1973
ISBN 10: 0816491216
ISBN 13: 9780816491216
Used
Hardcover
First Edition
Seller: Aladdin Books, Fullerton, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Hardcover. Condition: Very Good+. Dust Jacket Condition: Good. First American Edition. Minor dirt mark along fore-edge of text block otherwise near fine, tight, clean, no markings, no bookplate, no remainder mark. In good to very good dust jacket with a couple closed, short edge tears and some mild dirt soiling to white jacket background. No jacket chips and not price-clipped. Seller Inventory # 109365