Трудно быть богом (1964)

Hard to Be a God (Russian: Трудно быть богом, romanized: Trudno byt' bogom) is a 1964 science fiction novel by the Soviet writers Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, set in the Noon Universe.

Premise and themes

The novel follows Anton (alias Don Rumata throughout the book), an undercover operative from the future planet Earth, in his mission on an alien planet that is populated by human beings whose society has not advanced beyond the Middle Ages. The novel's core idea is that human progress throughout the centuries is often cruel and bloody, and that religion and blind faith can be effective tools of oppression, working to destroy the emerging scientific disciplines and enlightenment. The title refers to Anton's perception of his precarious role as an observer on the planet, for while he has far more advanced knowledge than the people around him, he is forbidden to assist too actively as his assistance would interfere with the natural progress of history. (See "Zoo hypothesis"). The narrative delves into the subjectivity of the main character, showing his own Character arc from an emotionally uninvolved 'observer' to the person who rejects his blind belief in theory when confronted with the cruelty of real events.

Plot summary

The prologue depicts a scene from before the main events of the novel, in which the protagonist Anton goes on an adventure with his friends Pashka (Paul) and Anka (Anna), and they engage in imaginative play that they are on an unnamed medieval planet. They find an abandoned road with a sign reading "Wrong Way". Anton decides to follow the road and returns to tell his friends that he found remnants from World War II – a skeleton of a German gunner chained to his machine gun.

The main events of the novel take place on an unnamed medieval planet, with Anton and Pashka taking the roles of observers of its people. Anton adopts the name "Don Rumata" and is based in the Arkanar Kingdom and Pashka adopts the name "Don Gug" (or "Don Hug", depending on translation) in the Irukan Duchy. Rumata visits the Drunken Den, a meeting place for observers. He is investigating the disappearance of a famed scientist, Doctor Budach, who may have been kidnapped by Don Reba, the Prime Minister of Arkanar. Don Reba has been leading a campaign against all educated people in the kingdom, blaming them for all the calamities and misfortunes of the kingdom. Rumata feels alarmed, as the kingdom is changing into a fascist police state, which would not have happened in similar medieval societies on Earth. Rumata has been working to save the most talented poets, writers, doctors and scientists, smuggling them abroad into neighboring countries.

Rumata tries to convince his colleagues that a more active intervention must take place. However, Don Gug and Don Kondor (an elder and more experienced observer who often travels by helicopter) feel that he has become too involved in local affairs and cannot look at the situation with a broader historical perspective. Rumata agrees to continue his work.

Back in the city, Rumata tries pumping multiple people for information, including Waga Kolesol, a local head of organized crime. He also attends a soirée organized by Don Reba's lover, Doña Ocana, who is also rumored to be Don Reba's confidante. Rumata tries to seduce her and pump her for information, but he's disgusted with himself and retreats. Rumata's love interest, a young commoner named Kira, who can't stand the brutality and horrors of fascist Arkanar any longer, asks to stay in Rumata's house. Rumata gladly agrees and promises to take her with him back to Earth.

His other plans take a bad turn. Life in Arkanar becomes less and less tolerable. Reba orders the torture and execution of Doña Ocana. Rumata, faced with the horrible consequences of his power-play, goes into a drunken stupor. Finally, left with no other option, in front of the King, Rumata openly accuses Don Reba of kidnapping a famous physician whom he (Rumata) had invited to tend to the King's maladies.

The ensuing events prove that Don Reba had anticipated and prepared for this. After confessing that he did, in fact, kidnap Dr. Budach, fearing that the man is not to be trusted with the King's life, Don Reba apologizes. He then brings forward a physician, introducing him as Dr. Budach. The next night, Rumata, whose turn it is to guard the royal prince and only heir to the throne, is suddenly overwhelmed by dozens of Don Reba's men, and while fighting for his life witnesses them murdering the prince. They are in turn massacred by monks, apparently members of the Holy Order, a militaristic religious sect. Defeated, Rumata is brought in front of Don Reba.

Don Reba reveals that he has been watching Don Rumata for some time – in fact he recognizes Rumata as an impostor – the real Rumata having died a long time ago. However, Don Reba realizes that there is some supernatural power behind Rumata. Rumata's gold is of impossibly high quality and Rumata's sword-fighting style is unheard of, yet he has never killed a single person while staying in Arkanar despite fighting in numerous duels. Don Reba instinctively feels that killing Rumata may lead to retribution from Rumata's presumed demonic allies and tries to forge a treaty with him.

During their conversation, Rumata finally understands the magnitude of Reba's plotting. The presented physician was not Budach. The impostor was promised a position as the royal physician and was instructed to give the King a potion that was really a poison. The King died and the physician was executed for murdering the king. With the death of the royal prince during Rumata's guard and the King dead at the hands of "Budach", Rumata can be blamed for staging a coup. At the same time, the organized crime groups of Waga Kolesol, secretly encouraged by Don Reba, begin to pillage the city.