explorer / books · 1983
Courtship Rite
Donald Kingsbury’s only award entry in this dataset.
Published 1982 by Timescape Books · 464 pages
Hugo · 1983
FinalistOn the ballot with
This book is recorded on the Hugo ballot only. Each row shows the full Best Novel ballot for that award and ceremony year. Winners appear first.
Synopsis
On the harsh planet Geta, where most native life is poisonous to humans and survival demands ruthless genetic selection, three brothers of the ruling Kaiel clan are ordered to marry the Gentle Heretic Oelita, a clanless woman who preaches against their society's practice of ritual cannibalism. They invoke the ancient Death Rite — a lethal courtship that forces her to prove her worth as a spouse or die.
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