Community Property

"Community Property" by Alfred Coppel is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century, specifically during the 1950s. The book explores themes of law, identity, and the complexities of relationships in a futuristic setting, focusing on the consequences of a non-terrestrial divorce case involving multisexual beings from Venus. This narrative uses satire and humor to delve into societal norms and legal absurdities in the face of interspecies interactions. The story follows Jose Obanion, a divorce attorney specializing in complex cases, as he is unexpectedly thrust into a landmark legal battle involving three Venerians—trisexual beings who have lived together in a symbiotic relationship for over fourteen years. As the first Legal Eagle to represent extraterrestrial clients under Terran law, Obanion faces challenges both legal and ethical, especially as he navigates the cultural differences between humans and Venerians. When complications arise from misunderstandings and the pressure of outside influences, including a competing attorney and government scrutiny, the case spirals out of control. Ultimately, the narrative culminates in a revealing and humorous commentary on the absurdities of societal and legal structures, leading to an ironic conclusion that leaves Obanion with more than just professional challenges. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Alfred Coppel, Alfredo Jose de Arana-Marini Coppel was an American author. Born in Oakland, he served as a fighter pilot in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. After his discharge, he started his career as a writer. He became one of the most prolific pulp magazine authors of the 1950s and 1960s, adopting the pseudonyms Robert Cham Gilman and A.C. Marin and writing for a variety of pulp magazines and later "slick" publishers. Though writing in a variety of genres, including action thrillers, he is known for his science fiction stories which comprise both short stories and novels.