A motley collection of humans and one robot, all from alternate
universes, must make their way through a strange alien puzzle-world of
danger and mystery in this classic science fiction allegory by an
award-winning maestro.
Following a conversation with a talking slot machine, Professor Edward
Lansing finds himself mysteriously transported to a tavern on a long and
empty road. It is immediately obvious to the educator that he is no
longer on campus - or even Earth - and that he is not alone. Lansing's
new companions - a female engineer, a military officer, a humorless
priest, a poetess, and a robot named Jurgens - all hail from separate
alternate realities and share Lansing's confusion. What is clear,
however, is that they must continue down the road together, encountering
a series of bizarre sights, dangerous obstacles, and perplexing puzzles
along the way: an abandoned, decaying city; a set of doorways; a large
blue cube; a tower that sings. Soon it is apparent they are all being
tested for some eerie, inexplicable reason, and the choices each must
make will determine his or her future. For those who fail, the alien
trail will never be seen again.
A provocative science fiction allegory, Special Deliverance is Hugo
and Nebula Award winner Clifford D. Simak's Pilgrim's Progress - a
tale of great trials and hidden agendas that expose the foibles of
humanity and a fantastic exploration of the human condition. A science
fiction classic brimming with intelligence, invention, and wonder, it is
yet another extraordinary creation from one of the genre's most revered
grandmasters.
