Black Man by Richard Morgan: How to Download and Read this Sci-Fi Masterpiece
Black Man by Richard Morgan: A Sci-Fi Thriller with a Twist
If you are looking for a gripping and thought-provoking sci-fi novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you might want to check out Black Man by Richard Morgan. This book, also known as Thirteen in some countries, is a standalone novel that explores the themes of identity, race, violence, and humanity in a dystopian future.
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In this article, we will give you an overview of what Black Man is about, why you should read it, and how you can download it as an ebook. We will also answer some frequently asked questions about the book and its author. Let's get started!
What is Black Man about?
Black Man is set in the 22nd century, where the world is divided into three zones: the United Americas (UA), the European Union (EU), and China. The UA is a conservative and religious society that has banned genetic engineering and human augmentation. The EU is a liberal and secular society that embraces biotechnology and cybernetics. China is a secretive and authoritarian society that has its own agenda.
In this world, there are genetically modified humans called variants, who are considered outcasts and threats by the mainstream society. One of these variants is Carl Marsalis, also known as Thirteen or Black Man. He is a product of a secret military project that created enhanced soldiers with superior strength, speed, intelligence, and aggression. However, these soldiers were deemed too unstable and dangerous, and were either killed or exiled to Mars.
Marsalis is one of the few survivors who managed to escape to Earth. He works as a bounty hunter for the UN, tracking down rogue variants and bringing them to justice. He is also a black man in a world where racism is still prevalent.
His life changes when he is hired by the EU to help investigate a series of murders that seem to be linked to another variant. Along the way, he meets Tom Norton, an FBI agent who is also looking for the killer; Sevgi Ertekin, a Turkish policewoman who becomes his ally; and Dariusz Sadowski, a Polish gangster who has his own motives.
As Marsalis follows the trail of blood and clues, he uncovers a conspiracy that involves powerful corporations, corrupt politicians, and ruthless mercenaries. He also faces his own inner demons and questions his identity and purpose.
The plot summary
The book begins with Marsalis being captured by a group of religious fanatics in Alabama, who plan to execute him for being an abomination. He manages to escape with the help of Norton, who reveals that he needs his help to find another variant who is suspected of killing several people across the UA.
Marsalis agrees to join Norton on the condition that he will be granted immunity and freedom after the case is solved. They travel to New York City, where they meet Ertekin, who is part of the EU delegation that is investigating the same case. They learn that the killer is a variant named Seamus O'Neal, who was part of the same military project as Marsalis.
O'Neal is a psychopath who enjoys torturing and killing his victims, especially women. He is also working for a mysterious organization called the Black Nexus, which is behind a scheme to smuggle illegal biotech products from the EU to the UA. The Black Nexus is led by a man named John Seagrove, who is the CEO of a biotech company called Genetix.
Marsalis, Norton, and Ertekin follow O'Neal's trail across the UA, encountering various obstacles and enemies along the way. They also discover that Sadowski, a Polish crime lord who has a personal vendetta against O'Neal, is also after him. Sadowski has a team of mercenaries and hackers who help him track down O'Neal.
The chase leads them to Los Angeles, where O'Neal has set up a trap for Marsalis. He lures him to a warehouse, where he reveals that he is actually Marsalis's brother. He also tells him that he is working for Seagrove, who wants to use Marsalis's DNA to create a new breed of variants that can be controlled and exploited.
Marsalis and O'Neal engage in a brutal fight, while Norton and Ertekin try to stop Seagrove and his men from escaping. Sadowski and his crew also arrive at the scene, adding to the chaos. The warehouse explodes in a massive fireball, killing most of the people inside.
Marsalis survives the blast, but is badly injured. He is rescued by Ertekin, who takes him to a hospital in Mexico. There, he recovers from his wounds and learns that Norton and Sadowski are also alive. He also finds out that Seagrove was arrested by the UN, but managed to escape with the help of some corrupt officials.
Marsalis decides to leave the UA and go to Mars, where he hopes to find a new life. He bids farewell to Ertekin, who tells him that she loves him. He also receives a message from Norton, who thanks him for his help and wishes him luck. He boards a shuttle to Mars, where he joins other variants who have settled there.
The main characters
Here are some of the main characters in Black Man:
Carl Marsalis: The protagonist of the book. He is a variant who works as a bounty hunter for the UN. He is smart, tough, and cynical. He has a dark sense of humor and a code of honor. He struggles with his identity and his place in the world.
Tom Norton: An FBI agent who works with Marsalis to catch O'Neal. He is honest, loyal, and brave. He has a wife and two kids who he loves dearly. He respects Marsalis and becomes his friend.
Sevgi Ertekin: A Turkish policewoman who works with Marsalis and Norton. She is intelligent, compassionate, and courageous. She has a crush on Marsalis and eventually falls in love with him.
Seamus O'Neal: The antagonist of the book. He is a variant who works for the Black Nexus as a killer. He is sadistic, ruthless, and cunning. He enjoys playing games with his victims and his pursuers. He hates Marsalis and considers him his rival.
Dariusz Sadowski: A Polish gangster who wants to kill O'Neal for personal reasons. He is violent, ambitious, and resourceful. He has a team of mercenaries and hackers who help him track down O'Neal.
John Seagrove: The leader of the Black Nexus and the CEO of Genetix. He is greedy, corrupt, and powerful. He wants to use Marsalis's DNA to create a new breed of variants that he can control and profit from.
The themes and messages
Black Man explores several themes and messages that are relevant to our society today. Some of these are:
Identity: The book examines how one's identity is shaped by one's genes, environment, culture, and choices. It also questions how one's identity affects one's relationships, actions, and destiny.
Race: The book depicts how racism still exists in the future, both overtly and subtly. It also shows how racism can lead to discrimination, oppression, violence, and hatred.
Violence: The book portrays how violence can be used as a tool, a weapon, or an outlet by different people for different reasons. It also explores how violence can affect one's psyche, morality, and humanity.
Why should you read Black Man?
Black Man is not just a typical sci-fi thriller that will entertain you with its action-packed scenes and plot twists. It is also a book that will challenge you with its complex and controversial themes and messages. Here are some reasons why you should read Black Man:
The writing style and quality
Richard Morgan is a master of writing sci-fi novels that are both engaging and thought-provoking. His writing style is crisp, clear, and captivating. He knows how to create vivid and realistic descriptions of the futuristic world he imagines, as well as the characters who inhabit it. He also knows how to craft dialogue that is witty, sharp, and authentic. He uses various literary devices, such as metaphors, similes, irony, and foreshadowing, to enhance his storytelling and convey his messages.
His writing quality is also evident in his ability to balance the different elements of his novel, such as plot, character, theme, and tone. He manages to create a fast-paced and suspenseful plot that keeps the reader hooked from the first page to the last. He also develops well-rounded and believable characters who have their own personalities, motivations, and flaws. He explores various themes that are relevant and meaningful to our society today, such as identity, race, violence, and humanity. He also sets the tone of his novel that is dark, gritty, and realistic, but also humorous, sarcastic, and hopeful at times.
The reviews and ratings
Black Man has received positive reviews and ratings from critics and readers alike. It has an average rating of 4.1 out of 5 stars on Goodreads, based on over 13,000 ratings. It has also been praised by various publications and websites, such as The Guardian, The Times, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, SF Reviews, and Fantasy Book Review.
Some of the common compliments that Black Man has received are:
It is a "brilliantly inventive thriller" that "combines hard-boiled noir with cutting-edge science fiction" (The Guardian).
It is a "riveting" and "compelling" novel that "grabs you by the throat from page one" (The Times).
It is a "stunning" and "ambitious" novel that "delivers a knockout punch of characterization, suspense, and social commentary" (Publishers Weekly).
It is a "powerful" and "provocative" novel that "challenges the reader to think beyond the surface" (Kirkus Reviews).
It is a "masterpiece" and "one of the best sci-fi novels of the decade" (SF Reviews).
It is a "fantastic" and "unforgettable" novel that "will leave you breathless" (Fantasy Book Review).
The awards and nominations
Black Man has also won several awards and nominations for its excellence in sci-fi writing. Some of these are:
It won the Arthur C. Clarke Award in 2008 for the best science fiction novel published in the UK.
It was nominated for the John W. Campbell Memorial Award in 2008 for the best science fiction novel published in the US.
It was nominated for the Locus Award in 2008 for the best science fiction novel published in any country.
It was nominated for the British Science Fiction Association Award in 2007 for the best science fiction novel published in any country.
It was nominated for the Philip K. Dick Award in 2007 for the best science fiction paperback original published in the US.
How can you download Black Man as an ebook?
, affordability, and accessibility. Ebooks also have some disadvantages, such as compatibility, battery life, and eye strain. However, these can be overcome with proper care and use.
There are many ways to download Black Man as an ebook, but not all of them are legal and ethical. Some people might resort to piracy or illegal downloading, which is the act of obtaining or sharing ebooks without the permission or payment of the author or publisher. This is a form of theft and a violation of intellectual property rights. Piracy and illegal downloading can have negative consequences for both the readers and the writers, such as malware infection, legal action, loss of revenue, and reduced quality and quantity of books.
Therefore, we recommend that you download Black Man as an ebook from legal and ethical sources. These are platforms and websites that offer ebooks with the consent and compensation of the author or publisher. They also provide high-quality and secure ebooks that can be enjoyed without any risk or guilt. Some of these sources are:
The legal and ethical issues
Amazon Kindle Store: This is one of the most popular and trusted sources of ebooks in the world. It offers millions of ebooks in various genres, formats, and languages. It also has a subscription service called Kindle Unlimited that allows you to read unlimited ebooks for a monthly fee. You can download Black Man as an ebook from the Amazon Kindle Store for $9.99 or read it for free with Kindle Unlimited.
Barnes & Noble Nook Store: This is another well-known and reliable source of ebooks in the world. It offers thousands of ebooks in various categories, styles, and languages. It also has a subscription service called Nook Unlimited that allows you to read unlimited ebooks for a monthly fee. You can download Black Man as an ebook from the Barnes & Noble Nook Store for $9.99 or read it for free with Nook Unlimited.
Google Play Books: This is a versatile and convenient source of ebooks in the world. It offers millions of ebooks in various topics, formats, and languages. It also has a feature called Google Play Books Library that allows you to upload your own ebooks and read them on any device. You can download Black Man as an ebook from Google Play Books for $9.99 or upload it to your Google Play Books Library.
Kobo Books: This is a global and innovative source of ebooks in the world. It offers millions of ebooks in various genres, formats, and languages. It also has a feature called Kobo Plus that allows you to read unlimited ebooks for a monthly fee. You can download Black Man as an ebook from Kobo Books for $9.99 or read it for free with Kobo Plus.
Apple Books: This is a user-friendly and exclusive source of ebooks in the world. It offers thousands of ebooks in various categories, styles, and languages. It also has a feature called Apple Books Library that allows you to sync your ebooks across your Apple devices. You can download Black Man as an ebook from Apple Books for $9.99 or sync it to your Apple Books Library.
The best platforms and sources
These are some of the best platforms and sources to download Black Man as an ebook legally and ethically. However, there are many other options available online that you can explore and compare. Some factors that you might want to consider when choosing a platform or source are:
Price: How much does the ebook cost? Is it worth it? Are there any discounts or deals available?
Quality: How good is the ebook quality? Is it clear, accurate, and complete? Are there any errors or glitches?
Security: How safe is the ebook? Is it protected from viruses, hackers, or unauthorized access?
Compatibility: How compatible is the ebook with your device? Does it support your preferred format, language, and features?
Convenience: How easy is it to download, access, and read the ebook? Does it require any registration, login, or software?
Customer service: How responsive and helpful is the platform or source? Does it offer any support, feedback, or refund?
The tips and tricks for a smooth reading experience
Once you have downloaded Black Man as an ebook from your chosen platform or source, you can enjoy reading it on your device. However, you might want to follow some tips and tricks to enhance your reading experience and avoid any problems or issues. Some of these are:
Adjust the settings: You can customize the ebook settings to suit your preferences and needs. You can change the font size, style, and color, the brightness and contrast, the page layout and orientation, the bookmarks and highlights, and the audio and video options.
Use the features: You can use the ebook features to enrich your reading experience. You can search for words or phrases, look up definitions or translations, access links or references, take notes or comments, share or recommend, and rate or review.
Manage the battery: You can conserve the battery life of your device by turning off the wifi or bluetooth, lowering the brightness or volume, closing the background apps or notifications, and using the airplane mode or power saving mode.
Protect your eyes: You can prevent eye strain or fatigue by taking breaks every 20 minutes, blinking frequently, using artificial tears or eye drops, wearing glasses or contacts, and avoiding glare or reflection.
Have fun: You can have fun reading Black Man by immersing yourself in the story, engaging with the characters, imagining the scenes, and feeling the emotions. You can also discuss the book with other readers, join a book club or community, or write your own review or feedback.
Conclusion
Black Man by Richard Morgan is a sci-fi thriller that will keep you entertained and challenged with its action-packed plot and complex themes. It is a book that will make you think about your own identity, race, violence, and humanity in a dystopian future. It is also a book that you can download as an ebook from various legal and ethical sources that offer high-quality and secure ebooks. You can also follow some tips and tricks to enhance your reading experience and avoid any problems or issues.
If you are looking for a gripping and thought-provoking sci-fi novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat, you might want to check out Black Man by Richard Morgan. You won't regret it!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Black Man by Richard Morgan:
Q: Is Black Man a standalone novel or part of a series?
A: Black Man is a standalone novel that is not connected to any of Richard Morgan's other books. However, some fans have speculated that it might be set in the same universe as his Altered Carbon series, which is also a sci-fi thriller that deals with similar themes.
Q: Why is Black Man also called Thirteen in some countries?
A: Black Man was originally published as Thirteen in the UK in 2007. However, when it was published in the US in 2008, it was renamed as Black Man to avoid confusion with another book called Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh. The title Black Man refers to the protagonist's race and variant status, while the title Thirteen refers to his serial number as a military experiment.
Q: Is Black Man based on a true story or inspired by real events?
A: Black Man is not based on a true story or inspired by real events. However, it does draw from some historical and contemporary sources that relate to its themes and messages. For example, it references the Tuskegee syphilis experiment, which was a unethical medical study that involved infecting black men with syphilis without their consent. It also references the Iraq War, which was a controversial military conflict that involved allegations of weapons of mass destruction and human rights violations.
Q: Is Black Man suitable for young readers or sensitive readers?
A: Black Man is not suitable for young readers or sensitive readers. It contains graphic scenes of violence, sex, and torture that might be disturbing or offensive to some people. It also contains explicit language and mature themes that might be inappropriate or unsuitable for some audiences.
Q: Is Black Man available as an audiobook or a movie?
A: Black Man is available as an audiobook that is narrated by Simon Vance. It is also being adapted into a movie that is directed by James Mangold and written by Richard Morgan