Sense of Obligation

"Sense of Obligation" by Harry Harrison is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story follows Brion Brandd, a skilled competitor in a series of grueling games known as the Twenties, where physical and mental prowess are tested to their limits. As he emerges victorious from one of these competitions, he is unexpectedly thrust into a life-and-death situation when he is approached by Ihjel, another Winner, who reveals a desperate need for Brion's unique abilities to help avert a catastrophic conflict on a distant planet. The opening of the novel introduces Brion during his final match in the Twenties, where he experiences exhaustion and intense competition alongside an injury. After his victory, he faces the consequences of his win and a world that is influenced by his achievements. Ijhel’s abrupt arrival provides a stark contrast between the celebratory atmosphere of the games and the serious plea for Brion's help to address a looming threat to a planet called Dis. The groundwork is laid for Brion's internal struggles regarding his identity as a Winner, the significant responsibility of his abilities, and the moral implications of his actions in the face of a galactic crisis. As the narrative unfolds, themes of obligation, sacrifice, and the consequences of competition draw readers into a rich and thought-provoking science fiction adventure. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Harry Max Harrison was an American science fiction author, known mostly for his character The Stainless Steel Rat and for his novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966). The latter was the rough basis for the motion picture Soylent Green (1973). Long resident in both Ireland and the United Kingdom, Harrison was involved in the foundation of the Irish Science Fiction Association, and was, with Brian Aldiss, co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.