False Fatherland
False Fatherland is a science fiction novel by Australian writer A. Bertram Chandler. It forms part of the author's Rim World series, featuring the recurring character, John Grimes.
It was originally published under the title Spartan Planet as a 2-part serial in Fantastic magazine in March and May 1968.
Synopsis
Lt Commander Grimes arrives on the long-lost planet of Sparta where humans have modeled their society on the city-state of the same name in ancient Greece. On this planet all men are produced by birth machines and women are unknown.The inhabitants of the planet are confused by the female members of Grimes's crew and the arrival of his spaceship has profound and lasting effects on the Spartan society.
Critical reception
Writing in Luna Monthly reviewer Jan Slavin described the book as "a fairly good adventure novel" that might "make light reading some dull evening."Publication history
After its original publication in 1968 in the Fantastic magazine the novel was later published as follows:- Horwitz, Australia, 1968
- Dell, USA, 1969
- Ace Books, USA, 1979
- Baen Books, USA, 2007
- Gateway/Orion, UK, 2015
The novel was also included in the following compilations of Chandler's work:
- John Grimes: Lieutenant of the Survey Service, Science Fiction Book Club, 2000
- John Grimes - Federation Survery Service, Baen Books, 2007
- First Command, Baen Books, 2011
Awards
- The novel won the Australian Sf Achievement Award for Best Novel in 1969.