Desire No More

"Desire No More" by Algis Budrys is a science fiction novel written in the early 1950s. The story centers around Martin Isherwood, a young man with the singular ambition of piloting the first manned rocket to the moon. The narrative explores his struggle against societal disbelief and personal doubts while detailing his unwavering dedication to achieving his dream, all set against a backdrop of a nascent space age. The plot follows Martin Isherwood, who, despite his father's ridicule and societal skepticism about the possibility of manned rockets, dedicates his life to becoming a rocket pilot. As he gains experience and recognition, he becomes increasingly isolated in his pursuit of this dream, eventually leading to a critical point when he successfully lands on the moon. However, the journey to that point reveals his lack of connections in life beyond flying, which raises concerns about his mental state. In a twist of fate, a psychiatrist intervenes, stripping him of the thrill of discovery during his expedition, rendering the achievement hollow. The story ultimately presents a reflection on ambition, sacrifice, and the costs of pursuing a single-minded goal, portraying a profound sense of emptiness despite monumental success. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Algirdas Jonas "Algis" Budrys was a Lithuanian-American science fiction author, editor and critic. He was also known under the pen names Frank Mason, Alger Rome in collaboration with Jerome Bixby, John A. Sentry, William Scarff and Paul Janvier. In 1960 he wrote Rogue Moon, a novel. In the 1990s he was the publisher and editor of the science-fiction magazine Tomorrow Speculative Fiction.