The Demolished Man

The Demolished Man is a 1951 science-fiction novel by Alfred Bester, and was the first Hugo Award winner in 1953.

Characters

Bester sought to create equal rivals in his depiction of Ben Reich and Lincoln Powell. Although the figures are not properly balanced, they share qualities that set them apart from their peers. Reich is probably the most intriguing figure. He lacks moral integrity, and is willing to take considerable risks in order to see his wishes carried out. However, he is a very charming figure to many around him, specially at the beginning of the book when his desperation is still in check. His personal mantra is "Make your enemies by choice, not by accident". Throughout the book, the reader may find himself sympathising for Reich as much as for Powell.

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Lincoln Powell is said to have a dual personality. Behind the correct role model and perfect cop hides Dishonest Abe, a name that parodies the nickname of Abraham Lincoln. Dishonest Abe usually takes the lead in conversation, and Powell will find himself lying in earnest to anybody for the sake of amusing himself. This characterisation may be somewhat unconvincing, but it serves to represent two things: First, as perhaps the best mind in the planet, Powell finds himself constantly alone and needs to invent games that keep him amused. Secondly, this feature of his character tries to show that both Reich and Powell are exceptional and that people such as them always need to violate the rules of society in order to improve it.

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Female characters are somewhat belittled. Most female figures have open interests in either of the two lead males, which undermines their value as individual figures. However, this portrayal of women follows typical pulp literature stereotypes, a style that Bester chose to adopt throughout the book.

Related Topics:
Pulp literature - Stereotypes

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Other minor characters are similarly stereotypical, but not without their attractions from an artistic viewpoint. One is Keno Quizzard, a blind albino (a motif which also appears in The Stars My Destination) who is the leader of an underworld organization employing gimpsters (gangsters), and who is hired by Reich to help find Barbara D'Courtney.

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Chooka Frood is a classic madam, as corrupt as they come. She keeps a bodyguard (friend ? companion ? lover ?) named Magda who has red eyes, laughs continuously, dresses in leather and studs (remarkable for 1953!) and is apt to attack at the slightest provocation.

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Duffy Wyg& (read as Wygand), who composes the Tenser said the tensor song, is portrayed as the essence of the "modern career woman, the virgin seductress". Again, remarkably for a 1953 SF novel, she seems to crave humiliation or conquest by men, though this kind of character is a staple of film noir, or the hard-boiled detective fiction genre.

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