The novel “Wyst: Alastor 1716” by Jack Vance was published for the first time in 1978. It’s the third book in the Alastor trilogy and follows “Marune: Alastor 933”.

Representatives of the Arrabus territory, the most important on the planet Wyst, have requested an audience with the Connatic, ruler of the Alastor Cluster, to ask for his help. Their society is based on total egalitarianism, but this is bringing negative consequences, such as unmanageable immigration. For the Connatic, the situation is unclear because he has lost contact with his representatives on Wyst.

Jantiff Ravenstoke is a young resident of the planet Frayness drawn to the Arrabus society. He believes that egalitarianism in what seems like a utopia could help him develop his artistic career and, in general, find his life path. Soon, however, he must also confront the darker side of Arrabus society.