The Status Civilization

By: Robert Sheckley

Narrated by: Frank Harrison

"The Status Civilization" is a science fiction novel by Robert Sheckley. The protagonist is Will Barrent, who finds himself, without memory of any crime, or, indeed, of his previous life, being shipped across space to the planet Omega.

Omega, used to imprison extreme offenders, has a hierarchical society of extreme brutality, where the only way to advance (and avoid dying) is to commit an endless series of crimes. The average life expectancy from time of arrival on Omega is three years. The story tells Barrent's attempt to survive and escape Omega, and return to Earth to clear himself of the accusations against him.

Artist Bio Author: Robert Sheckley (1928-2005) was an American writer of science fiction. His numerous quick-witted stories and novels were famously unpredictable, absurdist, and broadly comical.©2017 Audioliterature (P)2017 Audioliterature

great story, okay reading

fascinating story, somewhat awkwardly read but robert sheckley is a master and carries it

just in general buy and download everything of his you can

Both author and narrator have done so much better

Having loved most of the author's short stories I really had high hopes for this book. Although it isn't bad, and definitely has an interesting story on the larger scale, it doesn't seem to be quite thought through. Part of this could be because the ambiguous imagined future of then is now solidly here and factually mundane, and so many of the imaginings from long ago now largely appear too obviously illogical. But I kind of think that maybe this was one of his earlier, experimental works... or just rushed for the publishers... The narration performance while also not bad, was not great. Too monotone, too unvaried.
Whatever the case, if this is the first book/audible you're exposed to by this Author and narrator, seek their better works... they are out there.

One of the best sci fi novels of all time. Narration is great too

Fantastic story that I listened to in one sitting and then a week or so later I listened to again and I never do that.