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Shikasta
EntityQ1463723· pop 10· linked from 36 articles

Also known as Re: Colonised Planet 5, Shikasta

Re: Colonised Planet 5, Shikasta (often shortened to Shikasta) is a 1979 science fiction novel by Doris Lessing, and is the first book in her five-book Canopus in Argos series. It was first published in the United States in December 1980 by Alfred A. Knopf, and in the United Kingdom in November 1979 by Jonathan Cape. Shikasta is also the name of the fictional planet featured in the novel.

Book · Open Library

Author
Doris Lessing
First published
1979
Editions
24
Subjects
Fiction, science fiction, general, Life on other planets, Fiction, Ancient Civilization, Extraterrestrial influences, English Science fiction, Fiction in English

via Open Library

Key facts

Book.name
Shikasta
Book.image
Lessing Shikasta.jpg
Book.caption
US first edition cover (Alfred A. Knopf)
Book.author
Doris Lessing
Book.cover_artist
Paul Gamarello
Book.country
United Kingdom
Book.language
English
Book.series
Canopus in Argos
Book.genre
Novel (science fiction)
Book.media_type
Print (hardcover)
Book.pages
448
Book.isbn
0-394-50732-0
Book.isbn_note
(US)0-224-01767-5 (UK)
Book.dewey
823/.9/14
Book.congress
PZ3.L56684 Sh 1979 PR6023.E833
Book.oclc
4774671
Book.preceded_by
Book.followed_by
The Marriages Between Zones Three, Four and Five

via Wikipedia infobox

Wikidata facts

Show 2 more facts
publication date
1979-00-00
title
Shikasta
Sources (1)

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~17 min read

Article

9 sections
Contents
  • Plot summary
  • Background and genre
  • Analysis
  • Reception
  • Notes
  • References
  • Works cited
  • Further reading
  • External links

Re: Colonised Planet 5, Shikasta (often shortened to Shikasta) is a 1979 science fiction novel by Doris Lessing, and is the first book in her five-book Canopus in Argos series. It was first published in the United States in December 1980 by Alfred A. Knopf, and in the United Kingdom in November 1979 by Jonathan Cape. Shikasta is also the name of the fictional planet featured in the novel.

Subtitled "Personal, psychological, historical documents relating to visit by Johor (George Sherban) Emissary (Grade 9) 87th of the Period of the Last Days", Shikasta is the history of the planet Shikasta (whose inhabitants call it Earth) under the influence of three galactic empires, Canopus, Sirius, and their mutual enemy, Puttiora. The book is presented in the form of a series of reports by Canopean emissaries to Shikasta who document the planet's prehistory, its degeneration leading to the "Century of Destruction" (the 20th century), and the Apocalypse (World War III).

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Available in 10 languages

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