Form: Novel
Year: 1976
Publication history:
- 1976 : Shadrach in the Furnace (hc) , Bobbs-Merrill, 245 pp., ISBN 0-672-51993-3
- 1977 : Shadrach in the Furnace (hc) , Gollancz (UK)
- 1977 : Shadrach in the Furnace (hc) , Science Fiction Book Club, 13813
- 1978 : Shadrach in the Furnace (pb) , Pocket, 252 pp., ISBN 0-671-81273-4
- 1979 : Shadrach in the Furnace (pb) , Coronet, 245 pp., 23235-8
- 1981 : Shadrak dans la Fournaise (hc) , Laffont (France), 283 pp., ISBN 222100714X, 67 (in French Shadrak dans la fournaise tr. Robert Louit)
- 1985 : Shadrach in the Furnace (pb) , Baen, 286 pp., ISBN 0-671-55956-7
- 1986 : Die Mysterien von Belzagor/Schadrach im Feuerofen/Mit den Toten geboren (pb) , Heyne (Germany) (in German Schadrach im Feuerofen)
- 1987 : Shadrak dans la Fournaise (pb) , J'ai lu (France), ISBN 2-277-22119, 2119 (in French tr. Robert Louit)
- 1993 : Shadrak dans la Fournaise (pb) , Livre de Poche (France), 380 pp., ISBN 2253065102, 7160 (in French Shadrak dans la fournaise tr. Robert Louit)
- 1995 : Sadrac en el Horno (pb) , Ultramar (Spain), ISBN 8473863844 (in Spanish)
- 2004 : Shadrach in the Furnace (pb) , iBooks, 256 pp., ISBN 0743458478
It is the twenty-first century, and a battered world is ruled by an old tyrant, Genghis II Mao IV Khan. The Khan is ninety-three years old, his life systems sustained by the skill of Mordecai Shadrach, a brilliant young black surgeon whose chief function is to replace Khan's worn-out organs. Within the vast tower-complex, the most advanced equipment is being used for three top-priority projects, each designed to keep the Khan immortal. Most sinister of these is Project Avatar, by which the Khan's mind and persona will be transferred to a younger body.
Shadrach makes the unsettling discovery that it is his body that is to be used. His friends beg him to flee, but he refuses to panic. Instead, with almost incredible composure, he evolves a dangerous plan that could change the face of the earth; if it backfires, it could mean the end of his life.
Shadrach in the Furnace is a big, sweeping novel; a harsh, abrasive, irreverent book about a life-and-death battle between two titans--one, the epitome of evil; the other, a paragon of idealism--in a society pushed to extremes.
Nominated for Nebula Award for best novel, 1976. I remember liking it a lot when I read it in high school, but that's so long ago I can't say anything more specific. I'll reread it someday and post more details.