Plague of Pythons

"Plague of Pythons" by Frederik Pohl is a science fiction story that paints a picture of a dark future where people are haunted by the risk of being controlled by unknown powers, causing them to commit terrible acts. Our main character, Chandler, faces a trial for awful things he can't recall doing, pushing him into a scary situation where he has to deal with the truth of possession and the collapse of society around him. The book kicks off with Chandler's trial, highlighting the out-of-control society where everyone is afraid of being taken over by evil forces. Chandler's memories are unclear, and he defends himself by saying he had temporary pandemic insanity, which shows how common this possession issue is. As the trial goes on, with a judge who has a history of violence, an excited crowd, and increasing accusations, the story creates a complicated mix of societal fear and personal pain, hinting at a deeper look into what justice, guilt, and survival mean in a world ruled by fear.