Downward to the Earth

The novel takes place in a far future. A former member of the colonial administration, Edmund Henderson, arrives on the planet Belzagar, which had previously been Earth’s property. On Belzagar live two species of intelligent beings, outwardly more like animals that created a unique, non-technical civilization unlike anything else.

Because of the mass anti-colonial movement on Earth, the exploitation of Belzagar was stopped, and the planet was granted full independence. Most Earthmen left the planet, but a handful of former researchers of Belzagar remained. They are drawn to the ritual practiced by the planet’s natives—“re-birth,” which promises any sentient being a complete renewal of both body and spirit.

Henderson, who sincerely feels remorse for his role in the ruthless exploitation of Earthmen of the planet’s intelligent inhabitants, wants to undergo the “re-birth” ritual. But as it turns out, the ritual involves a great risk, because a person who already went through it turned into a terrible monster. Still, Henderson doesn’t want to back down…