"Hard to Be a God" is a science fiction novel by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky, first published in 1964. The story follows a human observer named Anton who is sent to a distant planet, Arkanar, that is stuck in a medieval-like society. His mission is to study the planet's culture without interfering, but he struggles with the brutality and ignorance he witnesses. As Anton navigates this harsh world, he grapples with moral dilemmas about intervention and the responsibilities of advanced civilizations. The novel explores themes of power, humanity, and the challenges of progress in a society resistant to change.