Downward to the Earth

A lone man must make a journey across a oncecolonized alien planet abandoned by mankind when it was discovered that the species there were actually sentient. Gundersen returns to Holmans World seeking atonement for his harsh years as colonial governor. But now this lush, exotic planet of mystery is called by its ancient name of Belzagor, and it belongs once again to its native alien races, the nildoror and the sulidoror. Drawn by its spell, Gundersen begins a harrowing pilgrimage to its mistshrouded north to witness a strange ritual rebirth that will alter him forever. This is one of Silverbergs most intense novels and draws heavily on Joseph Conrads Heart of Darkness. It puts listeners at the heart of the experience and forces them to ask what they would do in the same circumstances.