"Utopia? Never!"

"Utopia? Never!" by Thomas M. Disch is a science fiction novella likely written in the early 1960s. This book explores the concept of a utopian society through the eyes of a visitor to New Katanga, a supposedly perfect world offering no crime or hunger. Disch delves into the complexities of human nature and the inherent injustices that temper the idealism of such societies. The story unfolds as the visitor engages with his guide, discussing the merits of New Katanga while expressing skepticism about the existence of a true utopia. Despite the outward perfection of the society, the visitor remains convinced that underlying flaws exist. The narrative crescendos in a shocking climax at a public performance where gobblers—dreadful beasts—brutally kill the new citizen. This gruesome spectacle serves to reveal the hidden violence in this utopian façade, suggesting that even in the most seemingly perfect societies, humanity's darker tendencies cannot be fully eradicated. Through this narrative, Disch raises profound questions about the price of paradise and the nature of happiness. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Thomas Michael Disch was an American science fiction writer and poet. He won the Hugo Award for Best Related Book —previously called "Best Non-Fiction Book" —in 1999. He had two other Hugo nominations and nine Nebula Award nominations to his credit, plus one win of the John W. Campbell Memorial Award, a Rhysling Award, and two Seiun Awards, among others.