 First published in 1966, Tarnsman of Gor is shown here with 1976 artwork by Boris Vallejo. | |
| Author | John Norman |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Sword and planet, science fantasy |
| Publisher | Del Rey |
| Published | 1966–1988; 2001–present |
| Media type | Print (paperback) |
| No. of books | 38 |
Gor (/ˈɡɔːr/) is the fictional setting for a series of sword and planet novels written by philosophy professor John Lange, writing as John Norman. The setting was first described in the 1966 novel Tarnsman of Gor. The series is inspired by science fantasy pulp fiction works by Edgar Rice Burroughs, such as the Barsoom series. It also includes erotica and philosophical content. The Gor series repeatedly depicts men abducting and physically and sexually brutalizing women, who grow to enjoy their submissive state. According to The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction, Norman's "sexual philosophy" is "widely detested",[1] but the books have inspired a Gorean subculture.[2]
The series has been variously referred to by publishers with several names, including The Chronicles of Counter-Earth (Ballantine Books), The Saga of Tarl Cabot (DAW Books), Gorean Cycle (Tandem Books), Gorean Chronicles (Masquerade Books), Gorean Saga (Open Road Media) and The Counter-Earth Saga (DAW Books, for novels with a protagonist other than Tarl Cabot).
- ^ "Norman, John". The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction. Retrieved 2017-05-09.
- ^ Gracen, Julia (18 May 2000). "Chain gang". Salon. Retrieved 2017-05-09.