Enoch Wallace survived the carnage of Gettysburg and lived through the rest of the Civil War to make it home to his parents' farm in south-west Wisconsin. But his mother was already dead and his father soon joined her in the tiny family cemetery. It was then that Enoch met the being he called Ulysses and the farm became a way station for space travellers. Now, nearly a hundred years later, the US government is taking an interest in the seemingly immortal Enoch, and the Galactic Council, which set up the way station is ...
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Enoch Wallace survived the carnage of Gettysburg and lived through the rest of the Civil War to make it home to his parents' farm in south-west Wisconsin. But his mother was already dead and his father soon joined her in the tiny family cemetery. It was then that Enoch met the being he called Ulysses and the farm became a way station for space travellers. Now, nearly a hundred years later, the US government is taking an interest in the seemingly immortal Enoch, and the Galactic Council, which set up the way station is threatening to tear itself apart.
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Clifford Simak's 1963 science fiction novel won the Hugo Award for novel of that year. It is the story of Enoch Wallace, a man given the one and only opportunity to run an intergalactic station out of his home, and by taking the position he is given immortality as long as he stays in his home. When he steps outside he ages. He should call his house Shangri-La. But it is not paradise, as he is the only human who is allowed this privilege. It is kept hidden as well as can be, in a farm house in Wisconsin (Simak's home state), where people keep to themselves and don't ask him why he doesn't age.
Enoch fills the position so that earth may be represented to a confederation of planets -- advanced cultures. He mulls over whether humanity is ready while he hosts aliens in their layovers. A diplomatic incident happens and Enoch must deal with angry aliens, angry townspeople, and the feds. In the midst of the chaos he discovers another representative of humanity who is worthy of the diplomatic call.
William L. F
Apr 14, 2020
Classic
Classic golden-age science fiction. I read it decades ago but remember its wistful mood so vividly that I bought it again. I even remember some of it word for word. Simple and short but heavy on mood.
Oberon46
Nov 10, 2012
Classics never die
A friend mentioned Simak to me and recommended this book. I bought it and was really glad. Great classic Sci-Fi; humorous, philosophical, action -- all you could want - plus some cuddly little creatures ala Ewok besides. The conversations on what constitutes sentience are really engaging and don't overpower the story, which of course, is about determining what establishes sentience in other beings. Great read.
mick117
Oct 9, 2008
A favourite book
I first read this book from my library in the sixties, my existing paperback, circa. 1970, has finally succumbed to overuse by myself and other members of my family.
