Limes inferior

Limes inferior is a novel written in 1982 by Polish author Janusz A. Zajdel.

Related Topics:
Novel - 1982 - Janusz A. Zajdel

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The book evaded censorship barriers by using SF camouflage and, though it described the most shameful and sinister niches of communist society, it was republished several times.

Related Topics:
SF - Communist

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The hero, Adi Cherryson alias Sneer (named after one of sf colleague writers Adam Wi?niewski-Snerg) tells how a lifter (a sf name for black market and illegal hard currency dealer) upgrades people with low IQ in a world (read, communist society where ownership of hard currency meant wealth) where people are assigned to good or bad posts depending on the results of computer controlled exams. A cheating computer (= commies) allowed them to get not only a better post but also coupons for goods hardly available to average citizens. That is exactly as it was in the communist countries where luxury goods were available from a state-run chain of shops dealing with hard currency only. Examples are Pewex in Poland or Baltona in Russia from so-called yellow curtain shop.

Related Topics:
Adam Wi?niewski-Snerg - Poland - Russia

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The idea for this novel came to Janusz during one of the workshops in Soczewka when, sitting at a bonfire, we discussed who of us is the best writer. The best won. Janusz wrote a short story entitled Lifter that he read to us and we all were delighted. Adam Snerg, too.

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