The Sykaos Papers

The Sykaos Papers is a science fiction novel by the historian E. P. Thompson, first published in 1988 by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc using the ISBN numbers 0747503273, 9780747503279.

The novel, while often humorous and satirical, clearly reflects Thompson's historical-Marxist outlook and firm anti-military stance.

The story records the experience of humanoid alien, the Oitarian, Oi Paz on Earth (Sykaos). To summarise the plot here is the full title of the work:

The Sykaos Papers,
being
An Account of the Voyages of the Poet Oi Paz to the System of Strim in the Seventeenth Galaxy; of his Mission to the planet Sykaos; of his First Cruel Captivity; of his Travels about its Surface; of the Manners and Customs of its Beastly People; of his Second Captivity; and of his Return to Oitar.
To which are added many passages from the Poet's Journal, documents in Sykotic script and other curious matters.
Selected and Edited by
Q
Vice-Provost of the College of Adjusters.
Transmitted by Timewarp to
E. P. Thompson

Plot

An alien is sent to live among Earthlings. He describes his adventures in journal form. At first he looks like a young human but as he begins to experience more of life on Earth he begins to age and develop characteristics like Earthlings. He falls in love with an Earthling woman and decides not to go back to his home planet. Events proceed and he and his mate end up on a Sykaosian ship while Earth is destroyed. The alien and his mate bear a male child named Adam. The novel switches from first-person perspective to an account by authorities on Sykaos. Adam, possessing more characteristics of Earthlings than Sykaosians begins to get into trouble and eventually leaves Sykaos with his mate Eve.

External links

• The Sykaos Papers at Google Books