The Stars My Destination

After progressing from Asimov to Heinlein, I was expecting a story with a fascinating plot, but couldn't anticipate this vivid graphic novel style book. Bester writes deep and dirty and made me want to grimace and turn away at times, while at others marvel at the true and freakish nature of our very existence. His colorful tale may start slow, and at times be uncomfortable, but prepare for one of the most dynamic and thrilling character transformations you've ever seen. A truly existential masterpiece that made me wish this were a modern day comic book style movie.A must read for sci-fi fans.

Everything you could want from Old-school SciFi: ideas that are still inventive and original today (this was written in the 50's), engaging characters, lightening paced action, intertwined with just the right amount of descriptive sections for a crystal clear mental image, and, to ice the cake, text based hallucinations. Also, having swung a sledgehammer for seven years at the circus, I have a particular appreciation for the weight of a 20lb sledge, and the idea of one smashing through a ribcage. I have read this book many times, I bought it to have a copy for my kids.

This book should be read by everyone. Everyone. It has wit, stunning characters, and a story that is in ticking from beginning to end. Twists are abound but no less probable, making each re-read a journey to find a niche that helps make this book your own. I can not recommend this book enough.

I got through the whole book which only happens about half the time. The story is interesting and well written. I wouldn't say it was a classic, however. Not too many mind blowing concepts here but overall a pleasant sci fi experience.

i have loved this book for many years, now. currently reading it to my best friend. i feel that now movie making has advanced to the stage where they can do justice to mr. besters imagination with this work of art. many ideas of his are just now coming true in our society. please enjoy one of the best books i have ever read! john

That passage really resonated with me. The message is accurate and unapologetically blunt. The fact that it is offered by a robot bartender made it all the more brilliant.

"The Stars My Destination" is a good story. It explores some interesting ideas in novel ways; the characters are distinct and original; there's a good mix of action, social commentary and prediction of social and scientific concepts. It's a quick, enjoyable read that possibly inspired some of David Lynch's fever dreams about how space, time and travel all work. Sometimes together, sometimes not. In short, it's a good way to spend a few hours... just don't expect it to be "The Demolished Man".

A few quotes, for good measure:

“We always do what’s natural, only sometimes we shouldn’t do it.”

"Commerce obeyed, for this war (like all wars) was the shooting phase of a commercial struggle."

"Presteign paced, obviously repressing his seething impatience. He never swore, but his restraint was more terrifying than profanity."

This book is named as the best science fiction book ever written by many famous authors. Google it. Then read it. If you like literary fiction as well as science fiction, you will see why. BTW check out the print version....some things can't be done by Kindle or audible.

This was an interesting read, unique in the sci-fi genre. I wish it was longer, but I still enjoyed what I got out of it. I wish there was more development of the female characters, but perhaps that is the product of the time it was written in. I like how the themes presented in this book can relate to what goes on in our capitalistic culture of today.

"The Stars My Destination" is one of my "best books of all times" favorites. I read it first so many years ago, loaned it to someone and never got it back. Read it again from the public library (I wanted to steal that book!). Gully Foyle is a complex character who has to learn to overcome himself, and does. I was fascinated by the idea of "jaunting," and still am. As I re-read the book (finally, finally obtained from the store.com), and was re-introduced to all the characters, I remembered why I had looked for it in used book stores and libraries in every town i lived in. Alfred Bester is an all-time favorite author of mine, and in my estimation "The Stars My Destination" is his best work.

I happened upon this books recommendation while reading something else and am glad I bought it. I remember his name from when I read all the Hugo Award books. Couldn't put it down. Its a must for any sci-fi fan.

Bester releases the beast in slow spiralling challenges. Gully Foyle lives like myth in this pocket epic. The most fun I've had reflecting on mortality in a while. If you like philosophical science fiction with a bent for the psychedelic then this is a read for you. Hard to believe it was written in the 1950s. The language and concepts feel contemporary.

0 Stars Bad
1 Star * Not Bad
2 Stars ** OK
3 Stars *** Good
4 Stars **** Very Good
5 Stars ***** Great

Any Star is worth a read. The more Stars, the more enjoyment you will have.

I originally read this book in the original form, a 4 part serial in a magazine in 1957. I have re-read the book several times over the years. I have loaned my copies out to friends and never had them returned. The copy just received from the store is terrific. Listed as used in good condition. I could not see any indication it had been read prior. The condition was NEW and it arrived a day earlier than estimated. I can not only recommend the story as a great read and the store as a great place to purchase it.

This has always been one of my favorite science fiction books, and rereading it in my kindle was like renewing the acquaintance of an old friend. Still on the cutting edge in imagery and imagination.

I enjoyed reading Alfred Bester's The Stars My Destination. The work predicts changes in social norms regarding race and gender. It reflects the time it was written in that rape, violence and global annihilation are presented as acceptable means to a morally ambiguous end. I especially enjoyed the jaunty nature of the plot devices in this truly unique work.

As a founder of the genre, science fiction, Bester cannot be bested. This is an amazing, creative, thought-provoking, entertaining book. Every moment of reading keeps you on edge--just when you think you have figured it out, the plot changes. In a really good way. Fab.

It's an immensely effective work of Science Fiction. I'm a big fan of the ending. However, I will disagree with Neil Gaiman's introduction. The book is not timeless. Its sexual politics are right out of the the 1950's. Those mores are a strong weakness to the modern reader.

I just finished reading this and am truly stunned. I haven't encountered a book this good in far too long. Ferocious writing, luminous characters, and the ending... Well, you're going to have to read it yourself...

Magnificently crafted, captivating science fiction. Bester weaves the story with indomitable rhythms. The characters are as important and vital as the motifs, the allegories, and the settings. It doesn't come across as sci fi, and I don't mean that as a knock. This is literary joy. Horror spliced with wonder, beauty scarred by loss, life hanging in the insurmountable darkness.

I was a little tentative going into this book actually. I try to read a highly regarded classic every once in a while, but many times they come off as dated, or just plain not as good as I hoped. Not so with "The Stars My Destination", I just plain loved this book. The main character, Gully Foyle is not at all a likable person, but as a character you become so enveloped in his story you can't help but be captured. The story line is excellent, and comes across as if it could have been written this year just as easily as 1954. I highly recommend this book for its great characters, tight plot, and a fulfilling and provocative ending. This book is truly a classic and deserves every bit of praise it gets.

Amazing! Second time reading it. The character development is great, the imagery is great, the mind expanding and plausible themes are great. One of my favorite science fiction books. So many cool events and ideas! The entire story simply one-ups itself every few pages.

This novel was originally published in 1956 but is a fantastic journey for the solar system, the hero and the reader: magnificent. Also try The Demolished Man by the same author - the best ESP SF I have ever read, and Bester's amazing short SF stories in Virtual Unrealities.

Older doesn't mean inferior, by any means. Try some 30's and 4-'s SF shorts and Arthur C. Clarke's early SF.

This is a book that is very difficult to characterize. I read it because it appears on many "must read" lists of science fiction books. On the one hand it is a shallow type of 1930s adventure story, on the other hand it is crammed full of original ideas any few of which could be developed into a a full length book.
The protagonist, whose name I have already forgotten, is consumed by a pathological desire for revenge that drives his actions over the entire book. What is amazing is the backdrop to the story that the author has created--a veritable dizzying world that the author gives us glimpses of as required by the story in an almost off hand way as if its so obvious everyone would already be aware of it. There is little exposition in this book--it is revealed to us as required as the protagonist crashes his way through it--inner and outer solar system planets at war; the penal code/prison system; the ability to teleport across vast distances; the concept of time as a road that can be travelled on forwards or backwards; the stoics that exist in a sensory free nightmare; tribal outposts on forgotten asteroids; mystery elements whose destruction is unleashed through emotion --its all a smorgasbord of imagination. It is worth reading for the kaleidoscope of ideas that the reader is presented with as the protagonist makes his lightning speed streak through the story -- and the universe.

Loved the setting, the characters, and especially the ending!
It's a quick read, and with many very memorable scenes and concepts.
This will be on the list of books I am constantly recommending to friends for a long time.