The Utods are a highly advanced alien species from whom the human race might learn much, with superior technology and a profound philosophy. But when they meet, their customs and conventions are far beneath what humankind considers to be civilized.
Brian Aldiss's satirical depiction of the first encounter and subsequent violent conflict between mankind and a gentle, intelligent race which it cannot understand was first published in 1964, but its archly ironic message of cultural misunderstanding and the potential for catastrophe it entails resonates as strongly today.
'Flies straight to its mark with hardly a word wasted: a treat for the fans and required reading for anyone seriously interested in the fiction and ideas of today.' Kingsley Amis
- ISBN10 0451045866
- ISBN13 9780451045867
- Publish Date 1 April 1971 (first published 1 May 1964)
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 17 November 2010
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Roc
- Format Paperback (US Mass Market)
- Language English