A WORLD GONE BERSERK

Every seven years, the placid planet of Dante's Joy becomes a walking nightmare of death, deformity, and madness. To escape, the populace has the choice of Sleeping-lying drugged in their tomblike houses - or taking the Chance - staying awake and going abroad while their world goes berserk. They become what their intermost longings dictate, whether it be a beast locked in the vilest bowels of depravity, or a supreme being raised to the flowering serenity of truth and light. Thousands are mutilated, killed, transformed into monstrous things. John carmody, a concienceless exile from Earth arrogantly chooses to take the Chance.

Reeling, shrieking his fear and despair, Carmody confronts the Night of Light, the unknown and unknowable...