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The Man In The Maze
August 2023: Moral Dilemmas
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The Man in the Maze by Robert Silverberg (Subdue)
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Great review, Joy. I’ve heard of the book but never read it. It sounds like one to keep in mind for a time when I want to read something thoughtful (as opposed to my current run of fluff, which is about all I can cope with lol)
KateNZ wrote: "Great review, Joy. I’ve heard of the book but never read it. It sounds like one to keep in mind for a time when I want to read something thoughtful (as opposed to my current run of fluff, which is ..."Thanks, Katrine. Yes, it is rather intense!
Science fiction that is essentially a character study of three men who face a moral dilemma. These three are Dick Muller, the titular man in the maze who has exiled himself from all social interactions, Charles Boardman, the pragmatic manipulator, and Ned Rawlins, the young idealist. Each is a key contributor to events that have the potential to change the future trajectory of humankind.
Muller is living in self-imposed exile after a life-changing encounter with an alien species that has rendered him repulsive to other humans. He has solved the maze that exists on the planet Lemnos. It has taken the lives of myriad other lifeforms and humans trying to navigate it. It is a book that works on multiple levels. The storyline itself is compelling and spurs interest to keep reading, it contains “big ideas” on the nature of the mind (represented by the maze) and humanity, and it is a commentary on personal interconnections and “othering” (represented by alien species).
The narrative momentum is provided by whether Charles and Ned can convince Muller to leave the maze for the benefit of the species rather than trying to “trick” him with false promises. The two disagree based on their moral codes and personalities. Themes include honor, free will, ambition, emotional vulnerability, and connectedness.
It was published in 1968 and is one of those books that examines larger questions about humankind, as great science fiction tends to do. The primary drawback is one shared by many male SciFi authors of the 1960s. Women are given only sexual or subservient roles, not to mention the lack of any diversity. This would make a great book to discuss with a group, especially with regard to moral dilemmas and questionable decisions with significant consequences.