The Worshippers

The Worshippers is a science fiction novel by Damon Knight, written in the early 1950s. It follows Algernon Weaver, a timid historian who becomes stranded on the alien planet Terranova after a series of events linked to his sister's medical journey to the Moon. As he inadvertently kills one of the Terranovans, he is elevated to a god-like status, leading to a complex exploration of power, cultural imposition, and the moral implications of his dominion over the alien society. The narrative reflects on themes of alien contact and imperialism, culminating in a confrontation with the consequences of his actions.