First published 1719
Edmund Gundersen, a former colonial official, returns to the alien planet Belzagor seeking atonement. Once part of Earth's empire, Belzagor is now home to the Nildoror and Sulidoror, two intelligent species with a mysterious ritual of rebirth. Gundersen is haunted by his past mistreatment of the Nildoror, and he must journey through Belzagor's treacherous jungles to reach the Mist Country and offer himself for the rebirth ceremony, even if it means the end of his human life. In this lush, otherworldly tale, one man's quest for redemption becomes a profound exploration of identity, morality, and the ties that bind us all.
Genres: science-fiction, literary-fiction, adventure, fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, redemption-arc
Setting: Belzagor
208 pages · Paperback · Bantam Books
Content warnings: colonialism