Downward To The Earth

One man must make a journey across a once colonised alien planet. Abandoned by man when it was discovered that the species there were actually sentient, the planet is now a place of mystery. A mystery that obsesses the lone traveller Gundersen and takes him on a long trek to attempt to share the religious rebirthing of the aliens. A journey that offers redemption from guilt and sin.

This is one of Robert Silverberg's most intense novels and draws heavily on Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS. It puts the reader at the heart of the experience and forces them to ask what they would do in the circumstances.

First published in 1970.

“An intelligent New Wave classic from the mid-1970s which blends mysticism, world-building and literary references in an inventive mix ... This is perhaps SF's finest tribute to Joseph Conrad, both in its keen moral sense and its portrayal of a vividly realised alien forest - TIME OUTProbably the most intelligent science fiction writer in America”

An intelligent New Wave classic from the mid-1970s which blends mysticism, world-building and literary references in an inventive mix ... This is perhaps SF's finest tribute to Joseph Conrad, both in its keen moral sense and its portrayal of a vividly realised alien forest - TIME OUT

Probably the most intelligent science fiction writer in America

Robert Silverberg has been a professional writer since 1955, widely known for his science fiction and fantasy stories. He is a many-time winner of the HUGO and NEBULA AWARDs, was named to the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 1999, and in 2004 was designated as a Grand Master by the Science Fiction Writers of America. His books and stories have been translated into 40 languages. Among his best known titles are NIGHTWINGS, DYING INSIDE, THE BOOK OF SKULLS, and the three volumes of the Majipoor Cycle: LORD VALENTINE'S CASTLE, MAJIPOOR CHRONICLES and VALENTINE PONTIFEX. His collected short stories, covering nearly 60 years of work, are being published in nine volumes by SF Gateway and Subterranean Press. His most recent book is TALES OF MAJIPOOR (2013), a new collection of stories set on the giant world made famous in LORD VALENTINE'S CASTLE.

He and his wife Karen and an assorted population of cats, live in the San Francisco Bay Area in a sprawling house surrounded by exotic plants.

One man must make a journey across a once colonised alien planet. Abandoned by man when it was discovered that the species there were actually sentient, the planet is now a place of mystery. A mystery that obsesses the lone traveller Gundersen and takes him on a long trek to attempt to share the religious rebirthing of the aliens. A journey that offers redemption from guilt and sin.This is one of Robert Silverberg's most intense novels and draws heavily on Conrad's HEART OF DARKNESS. It puts the reader at the heart of the experience and forces them to ask what they would do in the circumstances.First published in 1970.

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