The Ophiuchi Hotline

This novel is the first in John Varley's "Eight Worlds" series, establishing the universe and many of the concepts that are explored further in subsequent books. While it introduces the setting, it can be read as a standalone story.

The Ophiuchi Hotline is notable for its early exploration of cloning and body-swapping as central plot devices, predating many other works that would later popularize these themes. It delves into the philosophical implications of identity and consciousness in a future where bodies are interchangeable.