Es Percipi

"Es Percipi" by Stephen Marlowe is a mid-20th century science fiction novel that examines reality and existence when Earth encounters the Targoffians, an alien race whose miraculous products blur the line between genuine and artificial. Bryan Channing, an Earth Embassy under-secretary, finds himself untangling interplanetary relations made tricky by the ethical ambiguity of the Targoffian Ambassador, Qui Dor. The story follows Channing as he struggles with the implications of Qui Dor's technology, capable of creating food and even human-like beings lacking true authenticity. Social chaos ensues as Earth experiences rising divorce rates linked to the allure of Targoff’s creations, and Channing faces personal strife when his wife, Ellen, shows interest in a perfect, artificial husband. As Channing meets his copy, the story peaks in to an look at love, identity, and what it really mens to be "real." Through philosophical questions, Marlowe constructs a narrative that challenges the reader’s perception of reality and the complexities of human relationships within the backdrop of interstellar politics.