The Ballad of Lost C'Mell
Encyclopedia
"The Ballad of Lost C'Mell" is a science fiction
short story
by American writer Cordwainer Smith
. It was first published in October 1962 in Galaxy Magazine, and since reprinted in several compilations
and omnibus editions.
The main characters are C'Mell, a cat-derived "underperson" (or animal given many human characteristics), and Jestocost, a lord of the Instrumentality of Mankind
. The plot revolves around a scheme to help the oppressed underpeople gain more rights. Smith's novel Norstrilia
is partly a sequel to this story (it is set a few years later, includes most of the story's characters, and is concerned with some of the same issues). C'Mell also appears in Smith's story "Alpha Ralpha Boulevard
".
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
short story
Short story
A short story is a work of fiction that is usually written in prose, often in narrative format. This format tends to be more pointed than longer works of fiction, such as novellas and novels. Short story definitions based on length differ somewhat, even among professional writers, in part because...
by American writer Cordwainer Smith
Cordwainer Smith
Cordwainer Smith – pronounced CORDwainer – was the pseudonym used by American author Paul Myron Anthony Linebarger for his science fiction works. Linebarger was a noted East Asia scholar and expert in psychological warfare...
. It was first published in October 1962 in Galaxy Magazine, and since reprinted in several compilations
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler. It may be a collection of poems, short stories, plays, songs, or excerpts...
and omnibus editions.
The main characters are C'Mell, a cat-derived "underperson" (or animal given many human characteristics), and Jestocost, a lord of the Instrumentality of Mankind
Instrumentality of Mankind
In the science fiction of Cordwainer Smith, the Instrumentality of Mankind refers both to Smith's personal future history and universe and to the central government of humanity...
. The plot revolves around a scheme to help the oppressed underpeople gain more rights. Smith's novel Norstrilia
Norstrilia
Norstrilia is the only novel published by Paul Linebarger under the pseudonym Cordwainer Smith, which he used for his science-fiction works...
is partly a sequel to this story (it is set a few years later, includes most of the story's characters, and is concerned with some of the same issues). C'Mell also appears in Smith's story "Alpha Ralpha Boulevard
Alpha Ralpha Boulevard
"Alpha Ralpha Boulevard" is a science fiction story by Cordwainer Smith, set in his Instrumentality of Mankind universe, concerning the opening days of a sudden radical shift from a controlling, benevolent, but sterile society, to one with individuality, danger and excitement...
".