The Demolished Man

A classic SF novel by Alfred Bester about a man who sets out to commit murder in a future with telepathy. First published in the January 1952 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction, it won the 1953 Best Novel Hugo, the first ever awarded. This is probably Bester's best (and best-known) work.

One amusing aspect of the book was the use of punctuation and other symbols in names which became quite popular in fandom. See Demolishisms.

Eight, sir; seven, sir;
Six, sir; five, sir;
Four, sir; three, sir;
Two, sir; one!
Tenser, said the Tensor.
Tenser, said the Tensor.
Tension, apprehension,
And dissension have begun.

Awards and Honors

• 1953 -- Best Novel Hugo

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Publication

1952

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