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The Merchants of Souls (2002) is a science fiction novel, the third book of the Thousand Cultures series, by John Barnes whose story is told from the perspective of a middle-aged special agent named Giraut. The Merchants of Souls examines consumerism when Earth demands access to other peoples psypyxes, personality/memory recordings meant as a backup in case of death, for entertainment.
[edit] Plot summary
[edit] Characters
- Giraut - An experienced agent and Nou Occitan musician brought back from his leave to address a new threat to personal liberties.
- Raimbaut - Long dead friend of Giraut who's psypyx is installed on Giraut as a witness against commercialization of psypyxes.
- Laprada - New OSP agent who is on the Earth Council and love interest to Raimbaut.
- Dji - OSP supervisor to Giraut, Laprada, Piranesi and Paxa.
- Shan - OSP supervisor and friend to Giraut.
- Piranesi and Paxa - Military husband and artistic wife, both are OSP agents from Hedon.
- Margaret - Giraut's ex-wife from Caledony.
[edit] Planets referenced
- Earth (central planet for humanity, in the Inner Sphere)
- Hedon (pleasure planet Giraut vacations on)
- Caledony (Margaret's home planet)
[edit] Literary significance & criticism
[edit] See also
- Other books in this series
