The Merchants of Souls

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The Merchants of Souls

First edition
Author John Barnes
Country United States
Language English
Series Thousand Cultures series
Genre(s) Science fiction novel
Publisher Tor Books
Publication date 1999
Media type Print (Hardcover & Paperback)
ISBN ISBN 0765303302
Followed by The Armies of Memory

The Merchants of Souls (2002) is a science fiction novel, the third book of the Thousand Cultures series, by John Barnes whose story is told from the perspective of a middle-aged special agent named Giraut. The Merchants of Souls examines consumerism when Earth demands access to other peoples psypyxes, personality/memory recordings meant as a backup in case of death, for entertainment.

Contents

[edit] Plot summary

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[edit] Characters

  • Giraut - An experienced agent and Nou Occitan musician brought back from his leave to address a new threat to personal liberties.
  • Raimbaut - Long dead friend of Giraut who's psypyx is installed on Giraut as a witness against commercialization of psypyxes.
  • Laprada - New OSP agent who is on the Earth Council and love interest to Raimbaut.
  • Dji - OSP supervisor to Giraut, Laprada, Piranesi and Paxa.
  • Shan - OSP supervisor and friend to Giraut.
  • Piranesi and Paxa - Military husband and artistic wife, both are OSP agents from Hedon.
  • Margaret - Giraut's ex-wife from Caledony.

[edit] Planets referenced

  • Earth (central planet for humanity, in the Inner Sphere)
  • Hedon (pleasure planet Giraut vacations on)
  • Caledony (Margaret's home planet)

[edit] Literary significance & criticism

 Please help improve this section by expanding it.
Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion.


[edit] See also

Other books in this series