Gray Matters (novel)

Gray Matters is a science fiction novel by William Hjortsberg.^[1]

Gray Matters

First edition (publ. Simon & Schuster) Cover art by Paul Bacon
Author	William Hjortsberg
Genre	Science fiction
Publisher	Simon & Schuster
Publication date	1971

Plot summary

World War III has devastated most of the world, but life is still good for the lucky (and rich) few hundred persons who had their brains preserved in an automated conservatory. Although they have no bodies to move around with, they are free to mentally visit any of the other residents, and engage in all the emotional, intellectual and (pseudo-) sexual congress that they desire.

Reception

The book was serialized in Playboy, and won the Playboy Editorial Award.^[2]

Release details

• 1971, USA, Simon & Schuster (1st Edition)

Notes

1. Peter S. Prescott (1 October 2005). Encounters With American Culture: (1963-1972). Transaction Publishers. p. 285. ISBN 978-1-4128-2253-4.
2. "Gray Matters – Novelist and screenwriter William Hjortsberg". Retrieved 23 May 2022.