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      The Dark Light Years

      by Brian W. Aldiss
      Published
      Jan 1964
      Main Genre
      Science Fiction Sci-Fi
      Rating
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      About This Book

      A strange alien species forces us to question our definition of civilization in this biting satire from the Grand Master of Science Fiction.

      What would intelligent life‑forms on another planet look like? Would they walk upright? Would they wear clothes? Or would they be hulking creatures on six legs that wallow in their own excrement? Upon first contact with the Utod— intelligent, pacifist beings who feel no pain—mankind instantly views these aliens as animals because of their unhygienic customs. This leads to the slaughter, capture, and dissection of the Utod. But when one explorer recognizes the intelligence behind their habits, he must reevaluate what it actually means to be "intelligent."

      Genres & Themes

      Genres

      Speculative Fiction

      Subgenres

      Science Fiction

      Characters & Occupations

      Aliens

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      Paperback

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      Mass Market Paperback
      Jun 1964 ROC ISBN13 9780451085825 ISBN10 0451085825
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      Apr 1971 Signet ISBN13 9780451024978 ISBN10 0451024974
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      Apr 1971 ROC ISBN13 9780451045867 ISBN10 0451045866
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      Jun 1991 Carroll & Graf ISBN13 9780881847260 ISBN10 0881847267
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      Jul 2001 House of Stratus Ltd ISBN13 9780755100620 ISBN10 075510062X
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      Sep 2012 E-Reads ISBN13 9781617567728 ISBN10 1617567728
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      Aug 2014 Open Road Publishing ISBN13 9781497637597 ISBN10 1497637597
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      eBook

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      Aug 2012 Open Road Publishing ISBN13 9781497608153 ISBN10 1497608155
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      Aug 2012 ISBN10 B008RAYU74
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      Apr 2014 Open Road Publishing ISBN13 9781497608146 ISBN10 1497608147
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      Apr 2014 Open Road Media Sci-Fi & Fantasy ISBN10 B00J3EU3KQ
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      Nov 2025 Gateway ISBN13 9781473222489 ISBN10 1473222486
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      Audio

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      Sep 2024 Tantor ISBN13 9798228006133 ISBN10 B0DD1L2QPH
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      Sep 2024 Tantor ISBN13 9798228006140 ISBN10 B0DD1S87YJ
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      Sep 2024 -- Not Selected ISBN10 B0DFQJM38X
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