The Demolished Man
24 Aug
I finished up reading “The Demolished Man” by Alfred Bester last weekend. I enjoyed it but I don’t think it is in the same league as “The Stars My Destination” which I absolutely love. The prose in Demolished Man really feels like its coming out of the 1950’s. The story concept though is pretty thought provoking.
The premise that the highly driven individual should not have to conform to societies rules, that he is exempt by virtue of his drive to succeed is a very relevant topic today. I see the main character in the financial flim-flam men of today, those who manipulated markets and companies solely for their own gain at the expense of the home buyer, the investor, the company employee, and the share holder. These are men who believe that they are exempt from societies rules and the morals of regular men.
Bester warns us of these men and the damage that they can do to the world as a whole. I see “The Demolished Man” as a cautionary tale more than a work of great fiction. I believe “The Demolished Man” is a unique piece of American literature and would encourage you to read it.
