An astronaut returns to a radically altered world in this "stunning" work of science fiction (Donald Barthelme).

Hal Bregg has returned from a space mission. Only 10 biological years have passed for him—while 127 have elapsed on Earth.

He finds that his home planet has changed beyond recognition—filled with human beings who have been medically neutralized, part of a civilization that shuns any risk. It doesn't seem like any place for an astronaut . . .

With more than a million copies in print, this is a powerful tale about alienation from the Kafka Prize–winning author of Solaris.

Translated by Barbara Marszal and Frank Simpson