Monkey On His Back By: Charles V. De Vet (1911-1997)
Monkey On His Back by Charles V. De Vet is a thrilling science fiction novel that kept me engrossed from beginning to end. Set in a dystopian future, the story follows the protagonist, Jack Cull, a former drug addict facing a challenging journey of redemption and self-discovery. One of the standout aspects of this book is the intricate world-building crafted by De Vet. The author paints a vivid and desolate picture of a society plagued by addiction and the exploitation of its citizens. The vivid descriptions and attention to detail truly transport the reader into this grim and gritty world, making it easy to immerse oneself in the story. The character development in Monkey On His Back is exceptionally well-executed. Jack Cull is a flawed and complex protagonist, haunted by his past but determined to carve out a better future. De Vet captures Jack's internal struggles with great authenticity, allowing the reader to empathize with his journey of redemption and rooting for his success. Moreover, the supporting characters are equally well-written, each with their quirks and flaws that add depth to the narrative. From the enigmatic Lucia to the shady drug lord Mendez, the interactions between the characters are engaging and keep the plot moving at a steady pace. The plot itself is filled with twists and turns, keeping the reader constantly on edge. De Vet expertly balances moments of tension with quieter introspective scenes, allowing for a well-rounded narrative. The exploration of addiction, personal sacrifice, and the pursuit of redemption adds an additional layer of depth to the story, making it more than just a typical science fiction adventure. The prose in Monkey On His Back is straightforward and accessible, making it an enjoyable read for fans of the genre. Additionally, De Vet's ability to seamlessly merge action-packed sequences with introspective moments elevates the overall reading experience. While the book excels in many areas, there were a few instances where the pacing felt slightly uneven, with some sections dragging on longer than necessary. However, these moments were minor and did not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the story. Overall, Monkey On His Back is a gripping and thought-provoking science fiction novel that stands out in its genre. With its well-developed characters, immersive world-building, and engaging plot, it is a book that will captivate readers looking for a thrilling adventure with a touch of introspection. I highly recommend it to science fiction enthusiasts and anyone interested in exploring themes of redemption and personal growth in a compelling narrative. First Page: Transcriber's note. This story was published in Galaxy magazine, June 1960. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. [Illustration] By CHARLES V. DE VET monkey on his back Under the cloud of cast off identities lay the shape of another man was it himself? Illustrated by DILLON He was walking endlessly down a long, glass walled corridor. Bright sunlight slanted in through one wall, on the blue knapsack across his shoulders. Who he was, and what he was doing here, was clouded. The truth lurked in some corner of his consciousness, but it was not reached by surface awareness. The corridor opened at last into a large high domed room, much like a railway station or an air terminal. He walked straight ahead. At the sight of him a man leaning negligently against a stone pillar, to his right but within vision, straightened and barked an order to him, "Halt!" He lengthened his stride but gave no other sign... Continue reading book >>

Monkey On His Back By: Charles V. De Vet (1911-1997)

Monkey On His Back by Charles V. De Vet is a thrilling science fiction novel that kept me engrossed from beginning to end. Set in a dystopian future, the story follows the protagonist, Jack Cull, a former drug addict facing a challenging journey of redemption and self-discovery.

One of the standout aspects of this book is the intricate world-building crafted by De Vet. The author paints a vivid and desolate picture of a society plagued by addiction and the exploitation of its citizens. The vivid descriptions and attention to detail truly transport the reader into this grim and gritty world, making it easy to immerse oneself in the story.

The character development in Monkey On His Back is exceptionally well-executed. Jack Cull is a flawed and complex protagonist, haunted by his past but determined to carve out a better future. De Vet captures Jack's internal struggles with great authenticity, allowing the reader to empathize with his journey of redemption and rooting for his success.

Moreover, the supporting characters are equally well-written, each with their quirks and flaws that add depth to the narrative. From the enigmatic Lucia to the shady drug lord Mendez, the interactions between the characters are engaging and keep the plot moving at a steady pace.

The plot itself is filled with twists and turns, keeping the reader constantly on edge. De Vet expertly balances moments of tension with quieter introspective scenes, allowing for a well-rounded narrative. The exploration of addiction, personal sacrifice, and the pursuit of redemption adds an additional layer of depth to the story, making it more than just a typical science fiction adventure.

The prose in Monkey On His Back is straightforward and accessible, making it an enjoyable read for fans of the genre. Additionally, De Vet's ability to seamlessly merge action-packed sequences with introspective moments elevates the overall reading experience.

While the book excels in many areas, there were a few instances where the pacing felt slightly uneven, with some sections dragging on longer than necessary. However, these moments were minor and did not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the story.

Overall, Monkey On His Back is a gripping and thought-provoking science fiction novel that stands out in its genre. With its well-developed characters, immersive world-building, and engaging plot, it is a book that will captivate readers looking for a thrilling adventure with a touch of introspection. I highly recommend it to science fiction enthusiasts and anyone interested in exploring themes of redemption and personal growth in a compelling narrative.

First Page:

Transcriber's note. This story was published in Galaxy magazine, June 1960. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

[Illustration]

By CHARLES V. DE VET

monkey on his back

Under the cloud of cast off identities lay the shape of another man was it himself?

Illustrated by DILLON

He was walking endlessly down a long, glass walled corridor. Bright sunlight slanted in through one wall, on the blue knapsack across his shoulders. Who he was, and what he was doing here, was clouded. The truth lurked in some corner of his consciousness, but it was not reached by surface awareness.

The corridor opened at last into a large high domed room, much like a railway station or an air terminal. He walked straight ahead.

At the sight of him a man leaning negligently against a stone pillar, to his right but within vision, straightened and barked an order to him, "Halt!" He lengthened his stride but gave no other sign... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Fiction
Literature
Science
Short stories

eBook links
Wikipedia – Charles V. De Vet
Wikipedia – Monkey On His Back

eBook Downloads
ePUB eBook • iBooks for iPhone and iPad • Nook • Sony Reader	Kindle eBook • Mobi file format for Kindle
Read eBook • Load eBook in browser	Text File eBook • Computers • Windows • Mac