The Link

"The Link" by Alan Edward Nourse is a science fiction novel written during the mid-20th century. The story explores themes of survival, cultural differences, and the inherent fears between two groups of humanity—the peaceful inhabitants of a city and the predatory Hunters who have historically chased them. The narrative unfolds in an exotic and futuristic world where the fear of the Hunters drives the inhabitants to flee their homes, raising questions about whether they will ever confront their persecutors instead of running away. In the book, the protagonist, Ravdin, returns from a journey only to discover that the Hunters are approaching his city, threatening its existence and the fragile peace the inhabitants have built. Alongside Lord Nehmon, the city’s leader, and his beloved Dana, Ravdin grapples with the suggestion that perhaps they should no longer run but instead seek to communicate and forge a connection with the Hunters. As tensions escalate, the two young lovers decide to stay behind to attempt to create a link through music. Their plan ultimately leads to a dire confrontation with the Hunters, who have a deep-seated desire for vengeance. After a harrowing series of events, Ravdin and Dana find themselves stripped of their memories in a twist of fate that leaves them alone, with only the primitive instincts for survival remaining. The resolution suggests that despite their lost identities, a subtle shift in the dynamic between the two groups has begun, hinting at a sliver of hope for future understanding. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Alan Edward Nourse was an American science fiction writer and physician. He wrote both juvenile and adult science fiction, as well as nonfiction works about medicine and science. His SF works sometimes focused on medicine and/or psionics.