# Trying to find a science fiction book **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** books-writing-myths\ **Created:** [August 5, 2021, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-science-fiction-book/948108 "2021-08-05T16:08:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-science-fiction-book/948108/1 "2021-08-05T16:08:15Z")
This is embarrassing, because I’m 100% sure I own the book and that it’s on one of my bookcases of science fiction, but I’ve looked through the titles and can’t find it. The book is at least 15, probably more like 20+ years old, and takes place on another planet. The main character was a woman, a noble of some sort. Her brother is a sexual sadist–there’s nothing real explicit but it’s very clear. He doesn’t abuse her, but the house staff, I think. It’s not sword & sorcery; I think the tech is a bit advanced from now, but it’s not a tech story, either. And I cannot remember anything more about it! It’s one of those things that sort of floated into my head while looking for something else on the bookshelf, and now it’s irritating the \*\*\*\* out of me. Anyone? ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-science-fiction-book/948108/2 "2021-08-05T17:30:34Z")
One of the Gor books maybe? > **[Gor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gor)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > 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 philosophy content. The Gor series repeatedly depicts men abducting and physically and sexuall... ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-science-fiction-book/948108/3 "2021-08-05T17:56:37Z")
Definitely not. No swords that I remember, and I don’t do S&S. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-science-fiction-book/948108/4 "2021-08-05T22:53:23Z")
Sounds a little like > **[Use of Weapons](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_of_Weapons)** > > Pages for logged out editors learn more > > > Use of Weapons is a science fiction novel by Scottish writer Iain M. Banks, first published in 1990. It is the third novel in the Culture series. > The narrative takes the form of a biography of a man called Cheradenine Zakalwe, who was born outside of the Culture but was recruited into it by Special Circumstances agent Diziet Sma to work as an operative intervening in less advanced civilizations. The novel recounts several of these interventions... ---
**Author:** ![phs3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8491ac/32.png) [@phs3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phs3)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2021, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trying-to-find-a-science-fiction-book/948108/5 "2021-08-05T23:22:14Z")
That looks interesting, but I’m sure that’s not it, alas!