Age of anxiety

"Age of Anxiety" by Robert Silverberg is a science fiction novel written during the mid-20th century. The narrative explores the themes of choice, maturity, and the impact of a society reliant on drugs that alleviate anxiety. Set in a futuristic world where children are administered an unworry drug to shield them from the burdens of adult life, the story centers around the protagonist, Larry, as he approaches a critical juncture on his seventeenth birthday: the decision to either embrace adulthood with its inherent anxieties or retreat into a perpetual state of unworry. The story follows Larry as he navigates his first days of newfound awareness, grappling with the daunting choice presented by a robonurse on his birthday. Faced with three capsules symbolizing different paths—returning to the bliss of childhood, suppressing his fears with continuing the unworry drug, or confronting the complexities of adulthood—Larry embarks on a journey through the City and the Playground. He meets various characters along the way who compel him to question his understanding of anxiety and responsibility. Ultimately, Larry discovers that his ability to worry and his struggle with decisions signify his readiness for maturity, leading him to accept the challenges of adult life with newfound confidence. This profound exploration of the human condition raises questions about the cost of happiness and the true nature of growth. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Robert Silverberg is a prolific American science fiction author and editor. He is a multiple winner of both Hugo and Nebula Awards, a member of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame, and a Grand Master of SF since 2004.