AustLit
Latest Issues
AbstractHistoryArchive Description
'In the era of “the big squeeze” – when an environmentally ravaged Earth groans beneath the weight of twelve billion people – two men control the destiny of humankind. One was recently senile…the other is going insane.
'In the year 2069, with the Earth’s population dangerously out of control, procreation and the medical treatment of terminal illness are the two most heinous crimes against society. But behind the doors of the top secret Biophysical Institute, an old man has been illegally cured of the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease and made artificially younger – to serve the unspecified purposes of Premier Jeremy Beltane, one of the world’s most powerful leaders.
'A member of the underprivileged “Wardie” class, Detective Sergeant Harry Ostrov has been assigned to serve as a guardian to the mysteriously rejuvenated nonagenarian – and entrusted with a devastating secret that could topple the unstable “Minder” government. But once within the confines of the Beltane family enclave, the dedicated police officer is dragged deeper and deeper into a lethal mire of scandal, corruption, political outrage, and moral dilemma – sworn to silence even as he observes his nation’s ruler, a man ultimately responsible for the future of civilization, descend steadily into depression, uncertainty . . . and madness.'
Source: Publisher's blurb (Orion ed.).
'The story is told mainly from the vantage point of Melbourne policeman Harry Ostrov, who becomes embroiled, via protecting the illegally rejuvenated father of the Victorian Premier, in a massive conspiracy of a "final solution" that not only involves Australia but also the rest of the world' (Colin Steele, SF Commentary No 77, p.52).
Notes
-
For Russell and Jenny Blackford who have done so much for Australian science fiction.
Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of
Works about this Work
-
Scanners
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: SF Commentary : The Independent Magazine About Science Fiction , August no. 80 2010; (p. 20)
— Review of The Destiny Makers 1993 single work novel -
Scanners
2001
single work
review
— Appears in: SF Commentary : The Independent Magazine About Science Fiction , November no. 77 2001; (p. 49-77)
— Review of Reading by Starlight: Postmodern Science Fiction 1995 single work criticism ; Metaworlds : Best Australian Science Fiction 1994 anthology short story ; Mortal Fire : Best Australian Science Fiction 1993 anthology short story ; The Destiny Makers 1993 single work novel ; Twilight Beach 1993 selected work short story ; Evolution Annie 1991 selected work short story ; The MUP Encyclopaedia of Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy 1998 reference bibliography biography ; Beyond the Hanging Wall 1996 single work novel ; Distress 1995 single work novel ; Axiomatic 1995 selected work short story ; Permutation City 1994 single work novel ; Mirrorsun Rising 1995 single work novel ; Alien Shores : An Anthology of Australian Science Fiction 1994 anthology short story ; The Opoponax Invasion 1993 single work novel ; Envoy 1994 single work novel ; She's Fantastical : The First Anthology of Australian Women’s Speculative Fiction, Magical Realism And Fantasy 1995 anthology short story poetry extract ; The Year's Best Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy : Volume 1 1997 anthology short story ; Time Marches Off : 2000 Years from Now 1942 single work novel ; Dark House : Stories Compiled by Gary Crew 1995 anthology short story ; The Oxford Book of Australian Ghost Stories 1994 anthology short story -
Judith Buckrich in Conversation with George Turner
Judith Raphael Buckrich
(interviewer),
1995
single work
interview
— Appears in: Eidolon : The Journal of Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy , Summer no. 16 1995; (p. 43-55) SF Commentary : The Independent Magazine About Science Fiction , no. 76 2000; (p. 114-119) George Turner discusses his literary themes and writing methods. -
Grey Whimpers in a Dystopian Nightmare
1994
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 12-13 March 1994; (p. rev 5)
— Review of The Destiny Makers 1993 single work novel
-
Scanners
2010
single work
review
— Appears in: SF Commentary : The Independent Magazine About Science Fiction , August no. 80 2010; (p. 20)
— Review of The Destiny Makers 1993 single work novel -
Scanners
2001
single work
review
— Appears in: SF Commentary : The Independent Magazine About Science Fiction , November no. 77 2001; (p. 49-77)
— Review of Reading by Starlight: Postmodern Science Fiction 1995 single work criticism ; Metaworlds : Best Australian Science Fiction 1994 anthology short story ; Mortal Fire : Best Australian Science Fiction 1993 anthology short story ; The Destiny Makers 1993 single work novel ; Twilight Beach 1993 selected work short story ; Evolution Annie 1991 selected work short story ; The MUP Encyclopaedia of Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy 1998 reference bibliography biography ; Beyond the Hanging Wall 1996 single work novel ; Distress 1995 single work novel ; Axiomatic 1995 selected work short story ; Permutation City 1994 single work novel ; Mirrorsun Rising 1995 single work novel ; Alien Shores : An Anthology of Australian Science Fiction 1994 anthology short story ; The Opoponax Invasion 1993 single work novel ; Envoy 1994 single work novel ; She's Fantastical : The First Anthology of Australian Women’s Speculative Fiction, Magical Realism And Fantasy 1995 anthology short story poetry extract ; The Year's Best Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy : Volume 1 1997 anthology short story ; Time Marches Off : 2000 Years from Now 1942 single work novel ; Dark House : Stories Compiled by Gary Crew 1995 anthology short story ; The Oxford Book of Australian Ghost Stories 1994 anthology short story -
Grey Whimpers in a Dystopian Nightmare
1994
single work
review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 12-13 March 1994; (p. rev 5)
— Review of The Destiny Makers 1993 single work novel -
Judith Buckrich in Conversation with George Turner
Judith Raphael Buckrich
(interviewer),
1995
single work
interview
— Appears in: Eidolon : The Journal of Australian Science Fiction and Fantasy , Summer no. 16 1995; (p. 43-55) SF Commentary : The Independent Magazine About Science Fiction , no. 76 2000; (p. 114-119) George Turner discusses his literary themes and writing methods.
Awards
- 1994 winner Ditmar Awards — Best Novel
- 2070s