Seventh Victim

"Seventh Victim"
Short story by Robert Sheckley
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Genre(s)Science fiction short story
Publication
Published inGalaxy
Publication typePeriodical
Media typeMagazine, radio play, movie
Publication date1953

"Seventh Victim" is a science fiction short story by American writer Robert Sheckley, originally published in Galaxy Science Fiction in April 1953. In 1957 it was adapted for NBC's X Minus One radio play as "The Seventh Victim". It was heavily revised for the 1965 Italian movie The 10th Victim. Sheckley published a novelization of the film under that title the next year, and later followed with two sequels, 1987's Victim Prime and 1988's Hunter/Victim.

The story concerns a future society that has eliminated major warfare by allowing members of society who are inclined to violence to join The Big Hunt, a human hunting game. This eliminates the approximately one quarter of the population that would otherwise be a danger. The story follows an experienced hunter who is excited to receive his latest mission, but is faced with the concern that something is seriously wrong with the assignment.