Cover of Chthon

Chthon

Aton seriesNext:Phthor(1975) →

Chthonwas Piers Anthony's first published novel in 1967, written over the course of seven years. He started it when he was in the US Army, so it has a long prison sequence that is reminiscent of that experience, being dark and grim. It features Aton Five, a space man who commits the crime of falling in love with the dangerous alluring Minionette and is therefore condemned to death in the subterranean prison of Chthon. It uses flashbacks to show how he came to know the Minionette, and flashforwards to show how he dealt with her after his escape from prison. The author regards this as perhaps the most intricately structured novel the science fantasy genre has seen. It was a contender for awards, but not a winner.

Audience
adult
Length
medium · 248 pages

Click a tag to see books like this one that share it. Point at it (on a phone, tap it) for less of it instead.

Read it? Sign in to help tag it.

Liked Chthon? Here’s where I’d start.

These suit anyone who liked Chthon. Sign in and mark a few books for picks shaped around your own taste.

  1. Doorways in the Sand Shares science fiction, sci-fi fantasy, fantasy
  2. Thorns Shares science fiction, sci-fi fantasy, hugo nominee
  3. The Child Goddess Shares science fiction, fantasy, sci-fi fantasy
  4. The People of the Wind Shares science fiction, sci-fi fantasy, fiction

“People who read Chthon tend to reach for these next.”

  1. Past Master
  2. The Computer Connection
  3. Half Past Human
  4. Black Easter

“If you want more of the same (aliens and first contact), start with these.”

  1. Song of Edmon
  2. The Crimson Claw
  3. Prince of Storms
  4. Doctor Who: Reckless Engineering

“If it was the science fiction that hooked you, try one of these.”

  1. The Queen Of Zamba
  2. The World of Tiers
  3. Fire Time
  4. Greenwar

“These start from a similar idea, even if they go somewhere else with it.”

  1. Mean Little People
  2. The Status Civilization
  3. The Dream of a Ridiculous Man
  4. Escape: The True Story of the Only Westerner Ever to Break Out of Thailand's Bangkok Hilton