Algernon Weaver is a cautious historian, devout skeptic, and lifelong believer that humanity's rush into space is a dangerous mistake. But when a family crisis draws him to the Moon, he is thrust into an encounter with an alien ship, a bizarre crew, and a catastrophic accident that leaves him stranded in the blackness of space. His own panic—and a well-timed sneeze—become the unlikely hinge of survival and doom, killing his alien rescuer and forcing Weaver to improvise his way through a silent, hostile universe. After crash-landing on Terranova, he is greeted not with fear but reverence by the native "bug things," who parade him through their villages and eagerly learn his language. Weaver quickly decides this must mean he is their natural ruler. He builds a replica of his suburban home, renames three guides Mark, Luke, and John, and begins imposing order on a peaceful civilization with no war, no politics, and no killing machines. What starts as cultural superiority hardens into a self-made religion, until Weaver realizes he has not simply governed the Terranovans—he has become their god. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.

À propos de l'auteur

Knight, Damon

Damon Knight was an influential American writer, editor, critic, and anthologist who helped shape modern science fiction in the mid-20th century. Born in Oregon and largely self-educated as a writer, he began publishing in the 1940s and quickly earned a reputation for sharp intelligence, wit, and exacting standards. Over the course of a long career, he produced acclaimed stories, essays, and criticism, while also playing a major role in supporting other writers through editing and mentoring. His fiction often blends speculative ideas with psychological insight, irony, and moral unease, asking what it means to be human in a world transformed by technology, power, and social change. He was also an important advocate for science fiction as serious literature, helping raise the genre’s artistic ambitions and critical respectability. Knight’s work remains relevant because it is not just imaginative but probing, skeptical, and deeply attentive to the consequences of human choices. Readers today can still find in his writing a bracing mix of intelligence, humor, and ethical curiosity, along with a clear sense that the future is shaped by the values we bring into it. He remains a significant figure for anyone interested in the history of science fiction, the craft of short fiction, or stories that challenge the mind as much as they entertain. Those who enjoy thoughtful speculative fiction with sharp ideas and a human edge are especially likely to appreciate him.