Halftripper

"Halftripper" by Mack Reynolds is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. The story explores the existential fears of space travel, focusing on the tragic lives of individuals who become "halftrippers," those who have succumbed to crippling mental illness due to the terror of space. The narrative provides a glimpse into the psychological struggles of these characters against the backdrop of interplanetary travel and the contrasting experiences of immortality and madness. The story centers around a character named Micheal, who is haunted by his past decisions regarding his brother Joseph and their fallen son during a crisis on the satellite Calypso. As Micheal navigates the bars of Mars, he encounters Joseph, who has become an immortal wanderer driven by guilt and madness. Their tragic backstory unfolds as they grapple with the consequences of their choices, revealing the deep emotional scars left from their experiences. The book addresses themes of redemption, the burden of memory, and the haunting nature of guilt, all within the context of a vividly imagined universe. As Micheal reflects on his own regrets, he comes to understand the profound differences in their realities, emphasizing the weight of consciousness in contrast to the dulling escape of madness. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Dallas McCord "Mack" Reynolds was an American science fiction writer. His pen names included Dallas Ross, Mark Mallory, Clark Collins, Dallas Rose, Guy McCord, Maxine Reynolds, Bob Belmont, and Todd Harding. His work focused on socioeconomic speculation, usually expressed in thought-provoking explorations of utopian societies from a radical, sometime satiric perspective. He was a popular author from the 1950s to the 1970s, especially with readers of science fiction and fantasy magazines.