Ο ΜΑΚΑΒΡΙΟΣ ΠΛΑΝΗΤΗΣ

by Richard A. Lupoff

Stranded on a strange planet with a race of alien vampires!

Genres: Science Fiction

192 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

About the author

Richard Allen "Dick" Lupoff (born February 21, 1935 in Brooklyn, New York) is an American science fiction and mystery author, who has also written humor, satire, non-fiction and reviews. In addition to his two dozen novels and more than 40 short stories, he has also edited science-fantasy anthologies. He is an expert on the writing of Edgar Rice Burroughs and has an equally strong interest in H. P. Lovecraft. Before becoming a full-time writer in 1970 he worked in the computer industry.

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sandworld is a pulp-style adventure in which a car load of people consisting of three convicts, a social worker, and a guard are transported to a desert-planet inhabited by vampires. There's some social commentary that's pretty dated now, but still a pretty good adventure.

[Randal Licato · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! this book took me away to Elsewhere and did not let go! It was filled with interesting main characters and a strange world dominated by vampires. Again, I could not put it down. From the first page, the adventure begins. 3 criminals, a prison guard/escort and a lawyer Gal are traveling to the courthouse when suddenly they find themselves transported to another planet where they have to quickly adapt, or die.

I did see a very good under-lying theme in the story. There may have been more, but the main one that I got was: Despite our differences, working together/having unity and teamwork is better than fighting each other and separating. Not only in survival situations, but also best for the growth and advancement of a entire world or civilization. Where would we be if the entire world was at peace from the start?

Another good theme was: Even in a team, someone needs to be the leader and make the final call that's best for the group. Others need to follow. Not everyone can be leader, but everyone in the group is important and has something to contribute, if they are Willing.

The SAD truth for both of these good things are that people are selfish sometimes and motivated by different things that are not always good for others, causing conflict and division. These conflicts and issues begin to arise amongst the group of survivors, all-the-while mirroring the entire fate and history of the SANDWORLD.

[Pete · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a pleasant surprise. I bought it years ago after reading Lupoff's Space War Blues and Sword of the Demon, both odd but very good books. Sandworld has always had mixed reviews, perhaps because it is a throwback to pure planetary romance. Given Lupoff's interest in Edgar Rice Burroughs, this not a suprise (a character in Sandworld in refers to Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar). In contrast to ERB, Lupoff's novel is more contemporary, and the main characters are rather ordinary (three convicts, a prison guard and a lawyer). No forgotten masterpiece, but a fast-paced SF adventure.

[Sean Phipps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a quick jaunt for me into the world of weird sci-fi and I’m eager to read more. Please share your recommendations with me. I loved the concept (stranded on a strange planet) and the interactions the crew had with these vampire aliens. “Sandworld” has whet my appetite for more and, as a horror nut, I found it an enjoyable reprieve.

[Devero · Rating 1 out of 5]

Insomma...
la premessa era anche decente, ma nel complesso la storia è inconcludente e mal gestita.

[Luca Gonella · Rating 2 out of 5]

Classico Urania di scarsa qualità, con una storia banale e poco avvincente.

[George K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Μια βροχερή μέρα στην Καλιφόρνια, τρεις κρατούμενοι μεταφέρονται με ένα στέισον βάγκον της αστυνομίας από τις φυλακές Σαν Κουέντιν στο δικαστικό μέγαρο, με την συνοδεία ενός φύλακα-οδηγού και μιας κοινωνικής λειτουργού. Κατά την διαδρομή όμως, το αυτοκίνητο από τον αυτοκινητόδρομο όπου ήταν, βρέθηκε ξαφνικά στην καρδιά μιας ζούγκλας, η οποία κάποια στιγμή εξαφανίζεται, αφήνοντας τους πέντε ανθρώπους στην μέση μιας κατάξερης ερήμου. Καταφέρνουν και διασχίζουν την έρημο και βρίσκονται μπροστά σε μια αλλόκοτη πόλη, όπου πρόκειται ν'αντιμετωπίσουν μια φυλή βρικολάκων! Αλλά θ'ανακαλύψουν και άλλα πράγματα που αφορούν τον πολιτισμό και την ιστορία του περίεργου πλανήτη.

Σαν περιπέτεια μου άρεσε, υπήρξαν κάμποσες σκηνές δράσης και η όλη ατμόσφαιρα μου άρεσε πολύ και μου θύμισε περιπετειώδεις ταινίες φαντασίας της δεκαετίας του '70 και του '80, αλλά σαφώς πρόκειται για ένα σύντομο παλπ μυθιστόρημα δίχως βάθος και χωρίς ο συγγραφέας να δικαιολογήσει απόλυτα αυτά που μας παρουσίασε. Θα μπορούσε δηλαδή το τελευταίο μέρος του βιβλίου να ήταν μεγαλύτερο σε έκταση για να χωρέσει ο συγγραφέας αληθοφανείς και πειστικές απαντήσεις σε όλα τα ερωτήματα που εμφανίζονται κατά την ανάγνωση. Αλλά δεν είχα και πάρα πολλές απαιτήσεις, ήξερα τι περίμενα πάνω-κάτω, οπότε δεν απογοητεύτηκα. Η γραφή ήταν απλή αλλά σίγουρα καλή με ωραίες περιγραφές και ρεαλιστικούς διαλόγους. Σίγουρα πέρασα καλά.

7/10

Στα ελληνικά κυκλοφόρησε το 1979 από τις εκδόσεις ΒΙΠΕΡ, με τον τίτλο "Ο μακάβριος πλανήτης".

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mother had bought this book when she was younger. I found it a couple of weeks ago and so I thought I should give it a try. I really liked it!

It's an adventure where true needs of people appear. Instincts, fears and self-preservation exist throughout the story. It's about a group of people who despite their different backgrounds and lives are getting involved -by accident- in a very very bad and ..bad situation. Through struggle they surely find their way but their future is much more adventurous than whatever caused all these undone changes.

In great times of need and despair, the strong and broad minded will remain.

[SciFiOne · Rating 3 out of 5]

1986 grade C+