The Dictator

"The Dictator" by Stephen Marlowe is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The story explores the themes of conformity and individuality within a society that prides itself on being a perfect democracy, only to reveal the darker truths lurking beneath the surface. At its core, the book examines the implications of a character training for a long-planned assassination of a figurehead ruler. The narrative follows Ellaby, a character molded by his society to fit a "modal" norm, who embarks on a mission to assassinate the elusive Dictator. As he navigates the Capitol, he undergoes various tests of intelligence, physical ability, and emotional stability, all while grappling with the manipulation of his identity and purpose. Surrounded by individuals like Dorcas Sinclair and Sam Mulden, who have their own revolutionary agendas, Ellaby is ultimately thrust into a world where he unintentionally becomes a part of the system he sought to overthrow. The climax showcases his realization that the absence of the Dictator does not lead to the liberation he expected, but rather illustrates the self-perpetuating nature of power in a society that requires conformity, leaving readers to ponder the cyclical nature of authority and rebellion. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Stephen Marlowe was an American author of science fiction, mystery novels, and fictional autobiographies of Goya, Christopher Columbus, Miguel de Cervantes, and Edgar Allan Poe. He is best known for his detective character Chester Drum, whom he created for the 1955 novel The Second Longest Night. Lesser also wrote using the pseudonyms Adam Chase, Andrew Frazer, C.H. Thames, Jason Ridgway, Stephen Wilder, and Ellery Queen.