Weird book - 1967

[davecintron]

I am curious about a book I read when I was 11 (in 1967). I was already an avid sci-fi reader and while visiting my grandmother I checked a book out of the library of a tiny town in Iowa.

Little did they know, and I did not realize, that it was somewhat pornographic. In this book a trio of astronauts return to Earth only to find a post-nuclear war America where they are captured by a hostile government. The population has been rendered sterile by radiation. Their solution is to take one man every year, graft testosterone laden antlers on his head, tattoo his private parts red, white and blue, and send him off to impregnate several women each day for one year, then sacrifice him. Of course one of the astronauts is selected for this duty and the book is about the others trying to save him.

I don't recall how it ends, but then again, I was only 11 ... perhaps it was over my head. Anybody?

 

[The Judge]

Of course one of the astronauts is selected for this duty and the book is about the others trying to save him.

And did he want to be saved??!

I have no idea of the book, but I am agog to know the ending! Did he reluctantly accept the terrible duty? Or were his buddies careful only to save him at the last minute?

J

 

[chrispenycate]

It's Philip José Farmer's "Flesh", and do you know what? I can't remember how it ends, either.

 

[blacknorth]

It's Philip José Farmer's "Flesh", and do you know what? I can't remember how it ends, either.

Me neither.

But that's because I didn't finish. I found it heavy going.

 

[Taltos]

It's Philip José Farmer's "Flesh", and do you know what? I can't remember how it ends, either.

Yep chrispenycate thats it.

IIRC, the antlers got broken off, and the spaceship captian who was the "un"fortunate was saved and they flew away on another mission to the stars. I can check in the evening what the ending was, but it seems it wasn't anything too special - as everyone has forgotten what it was.