The Beast Master

Infobox Book
name = The Beast Master
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = first edition cover
author = Andre Norton
illustrator =
cover_artist =
country = United States
language = English
series = Beast Master
genre = Science fiction novel
publisher = Harcourt
release_date = 1959
media_type = Print (Hardcover and Paperback)
pages = 195 pp
isbn = ISBN 0-15-206049-9
preceded_by =
followed_by = Lord of Thunder

"The Beast Master" is a science fiction novel by Grand Master Andre Norton, first published in 1959. It tells the story of Hosteen Storm, an ex-soldier who travels to a distant planet with his comrades, a group of genetically altered animals with whom he has empathic and telepathic connections. The team are hired to herd livestock, but Storm still harbors anger at his former enemies the Xik, and has sworn revenge on a man named Quade for actions against Storm's family in the past.

In this novel and the following series, Norton explores aspects of Native American culture (specifically that of the Navajo) through metaphors in Storm's life and in the culture he adopts on his new home world.

Adaptations

*Ideas from the novel were featured in a 1982 film, "The Beastmaster", which did not significantly follow the novel's plot.
*From 1999 to 2002, a Canadian television series, "BeastMaster", was produced which again used concepts and characters from the novel but did not follow its plot or setting.

Editions

*Harcourt, 1959 (first edition), ISBN 0-15-206049-9
*Ace Double Novel (abridged edition), 1961; dos-a-dos with "Star Hunter", also by Norton
*Fawcett, 1981 (mass market paperback), ISBN 0-449-23637-4
*Del Rey, 1983 (paperback reprint), ISBN 0-345-31376-3

Books in the Beast Master series

*"The Beast Master" (1959)
*"Lord of Thunder" (1962)
*"Beast Master's Ark" (2002) with Lyn McConchie
*"Beast Master's Circus" (2004) with Lyn McConchie
*"Beast Master's Quest" (2006) with Lyn McConchie

Omnibuses

*"Beast Master Team" (2004) contains "Beast Master's Ark" & "Beast Master's Circus"
*"Beast Master's Planet" (2005) contains "Beast Master" & "Lord of Thunder"

References

*cite book | last=Tuck | first=Donald H. | authorlink=Donald H. Tuck | title=The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction and Fantasy | location=Chicago | publisher=Advent | pages=331 | date=1978|id=ISBN 0-911682-22-8