And Chaos Died

All you want to know about And Chaos Died

And Chaos Died
Cover of 1970 Ace Books first edition
Author	Joanna Russ
Country	United States
Language	English
Genre(s)	Science fiction novel
Publisher	Ace Books
Publication date	1970
Media type	Print (Hardcover and Paperback)
Pages	189 pp
ISBN	ISBN 0-425-04135-2 (1979 edition)

And Chaos Died (1970) is a science fiction novel by Joanna Russ, perhaps the genre's best-known feminist author.^[1] Its setting is a dystopian projection of modern society, in which Earth's population has continued to grow, with the effects somewhat mitigated by advanced technology. The novel was nominated for, but did not win, the 1970 Nebula Award.^[2]

Plot introduction

On the grossly-overpopulated planet, remnants of "nature" exist only in the isolated areas not covered by housing, industry and industrial farming. Creativity and individuality are suppressed and channeled into rigid social formats. A powerful bureaucracy/police state oversees the acts of all citizens. Its purpose is to maintain control for the planetary elite, and to that end it is prepared to resort to any method, however ruthless.

In contrast to all this, the author introduces another planet on which human development has followed a diametrically opposite path: the natural world is respected; population is limited; and each individual is encouraged to develop uniquely. On this other world, human beings are known to be basically "spiritual", and immortal in nature. Telepathy and telekinesis are developed as much and as rapidly as possible.

As the narrative progresses, a confrontation develops between these different systems.