The Demolished Man
In a world in which the police have telepathic powers, how do you get away with murder? Ben Reichs heads a huge 24th century business empire, spanning the solar system. He is also an obsessed, driven man determined to murder a rival. To avoid capture, in a society where murderers can be detected even before they commit their crime, is the greatest challenge of his life.
What you might want to know about The Demolished Man
The questions readers send us most often, answered without spoilers.
In the 24th century, the rise of the Esper Guild has made premeditated murder almost impossible. Powerful businessman Ben Reich is determined to kill his rival anyway, and police prefect Lincoln Powell is determined to prove it.
Yes. The Demolished Man won the inaugural Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1953. It is widely cited as one of the foundational science fiction novels of the postwar period.
The Demolished Man uses Alfred Bester's signature playful typography to depict telepathic communication on the page. The form takes adjustment but is intentional. Most readers find it propulsive once they settle into the rhythm.
The Demolished Man was written by Alfred Bester, published in 1953 by Roc.
The Demolished Man is 208 pages in standard print editions, though page counts vary slightly between hardcover, paperback, and large-print formats.
At an average reading pace of about 250 words per minute, The Demolished Man takes most readers 3 to 5 hours to finish.
The Demolished Man is a standalone novel by Alfred Bester, not part of a series.
The Demolished Man is available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats from Amazon, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, and most major bookstores.
