The Immortality Company

Name: The Immortality Company
ISBN: 9787513359719

罗伯特·谢克里 / 罗妍莉 / 陈阳New Star Press · ChinaMay 2026

4.3

Word count: 210K words
Chapters: 57
ISBN: 9787513359719

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Summary

The Immortality Corporation: Here there are zombies, berserkers, hunting games, soul exchanges... Here, you can achieve immortality in two ways: after death, your soul goes to the "afterlife"; or you change bodies and let your soul be reborn. Just spend a little money, and the "Immortality Corporation" will serve you!

Journey to Tomorrow: An artistic youth from Tahiti resolves to try his luck in the Western world, from being misunderstood and given a suspended sentence to becoming a university professor, getting promoted and raised, and reaching the pinnacle of life. This is not a reversed The Moon and Sixpence, but a journey to tomorrow! When you're unhappy, read Sheckley—he has already complained about everything for you!

Editor's review

Sheckley excels at wrapping sharp complaints about reality in absurd premises, and the two novellas in this book showcase two of his approaches. The Immortality Corporation turns "immortality" into a business with clearly marked prices: the soul goes to the "afterlife," or you pay to swap into a body, with elements like zombies, berserkers, hunting games, and soul exchanges appearing in succession; it reads like a carnival of black humor, yet after the laughter you think about the relationships among body, identity, and class. Journey to Tomorrow shifts direction, letting an artistic youth from Tahiti burst into the Western world, from being misunderstood and given a suspended sentence to becoming a university professor, promoted and raised all the way—seemingly a comeback fantasy, but actually a reverse mockery of "successology" and the myth of art. Placed side by side, one cold and one hot, their common trait is readability: fast pace, witty dialogue, dense satire, suitable for segmented reading on the commute or before bed, and also for exchanging reading impressions among friends. The editor believes that if you've recently been dissatisfied with life in many ways, Sheckley may not give you answers, but he will vent that frustration for you beautifully.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy black humor and satirical science fiction
People who want to find the pleasure of social observation in light reading
Readers curious about themes like immortality and identity exchange
Office workers who need short-form pacing and segmented reading

Not a good fit for

Science fiction fans expecting hardcore scientific premises and rigorous speculation
Readers who prefer warm, healing stories and don't want to read satire and absurdity
People who feel uncomfortable with elements like zombies and soul exchange

Reading tips

Read The Immortality Corporation first, then Journey to Tomorrow, to feel the contrast between Sheckley's two satirical approaches.
After each piece, jot down in two or three sentences the complaint that hit you hardest, for later savoring.
Read the two pieces as independent stories; there's no need to look for continuity in characters or plot.
Suitable for segmented reading on the commute or before bed, one piece at a time, keeping the pace light.

About the publisher

New Star Press China · Founded in 1989

New Star Press focuses on classic works, mystery and detective fiction, science fiction, history, foreign literature and art, and its 602 titles in the library show a balance between popular reading and humanistic depth. Representative books include The Complete Works of Shakespeare: Illustrated Collector's Edition, And Then There Were None, Murder on the Orient Express, The Player of Games, Local Government in Qing China, A Good Man Is Hard to Find and A Collection of Fine Ukiyo-e Prints, spanning classic literature, detective fiction, science fiction, local history and visual art. Its authors and contributors include William Shakespeare, Agatha Christie and Iain M. Banks, as well as translators such as Zhu Shenghao and Su Fuzhong and illustrators such as John Gilbert and George Cruikshank. Known for the detective series Midnight Library and for social-science and humanities titles, the press emphasizes edition design and reading experience; public information is limited, so this profile highlights the publishing features reflected in the library's books.

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明日之旅
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FAQ

Is this book two independent stories or one long novel?

According to the materials, this book contains two novellas, The Immortality Corporation and Journey to Tomorrow, each with independent characters and plots; they can be read separately without having to finish them in order in one sitting.

How is "immortality" set up in The Immortality Corporation?

The materials state there are two ways: after death, the soul goes to the "afterlife"; or you pay to change bodies and let the soul be reborn, with services provided by the "Immortality Corporation." The story revolves around zombies, berserkers, hunting games, soul exchange, and so on; it is an absurd satirical premise, not rigorous scientific speculation.

Is Journey to Tomorrow a remake of The Moon and Sixpence?

The materials specifically note that "this is not a reversed The Moon and Sixpence." It tells of an artistic youth from Tahiti making his way in the Western world, from being misunderstood and given a suspended sentence to becoming a university professor; the focus is on mocking success paths and the myth of art, and it should not be expected as a counterpart to Maugham's work.

If I haven't read other works by Sheckley, can I read this book directly?

Yes. Both stories stand alone and do not depend on previous works. Sheckley's style is fast-paced with dense satire; newcomers can start with The Immortality Corporation to get used to his absurd approach, then read Journey to Tomorrow, which will be easier to get into.

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About the author

罗伯特·谢克里 Author

Robert Sheckley is an author known primarily for science fiction. So far, two of his works are available to Chinese readers: The Company of Immortality and The Monster Maze. Because public information is limited, basic details such as his nationality, dates of birth and death, original English name, and personal background remain unclear, so understanding of him and his writing rests mainly on these two translated works. In common classifications, his writing is placed under science fiction and foreign literature. His themes often revolve around future technology, the extension of life, and strange spaces, with a clear imaginative and allegorical quality. The Company of Immortality suggests a science-fictional treatment of the theme of immortality, while The Monster Maze hints at adventure and unknown creatures within a closed space. Sheckley's style tends to use light premises to carry reflections on technological ethics and the human condition. He has a certain recognizability among Chinese science fiction readers, and his works offer a sample for observing foreign science fiction writing.

罗妍莉 Author

Public information about Luo Yanli is limited. The library currently holds four of her works, including Flash Hacker, Immortality Inc., The Old Man with Enormous Wings, and Monster Maze, commonly classified under premium fiction, science fiction, and foreign literature. Judging from the titles and categories, her writing touches on science fiction and fantasy and also involves the presentation of foreign literary works, showing the imaginative color and narrative appeal of genre fiction. With little biographical information available, it is difficult to say more about her background or creative trajectory, but she can be regarded as a participant in the translation or writing of science fiction and fantasy, whose works offer readers an entry into imaginative worlds and enrich the landscape of related genre titles.

陈阳 Author

Chen Yang is an author about whom little public information is available; his nationality, dates of birth and death, and educational background are not clearly documented. Judging from the works at hand, his range is notably broad: he has translated and introduced Western classics of thought and literature such as The Social Contract, Confessions, and Reveries of the Solitary Walker, while also writing science fiction like The Immortality Company and working in social fiction and miscellaneous essays. His output further extends to multiple editions of The Fruits of the Earth and to compiled volumes on classical architecture and sculpture ornament, a design and art field. With twenty-one works in the collection, spanning politics, biography, essays, science fiction, and design, he shows considerable versatility as a writer and editor. Overall, Chen Yang resists classification in a single genre, and his influence lies chiefly in the dissemination of classic texts and in practice across multiple subjects.