num_pages: 171
description: This psychologically complex science-fiction novel focuses on a sensitive adolescent making the difficult transition from childhood into adolescent sexuality and adult society. A boy, fleeing a bullying classmate, inadvertently makes first contact with a race of aliens who live beneath the surface of his planet. Exploring such subjects as the dynamics of dysfunctional families and human society's greed-based political system, Catalyst has eerie psychological undercurrents and tells an emotionally compelling and surprising story. 
language: English
title: Catalyst
titlecomplete: Catalyst
genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult, Science Fiction Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Aliens, Fiction, Fantasy
ratings_count: 205
awards: awardedAt: 1167638400000
name: Philip K. Dick Award
publisher: Tachyon Publications