Status
Available
Call number
Collection
Publication
Kbh Stig Vendelkærs Forlag (1972) 261 s.
Description
Hugo Award Winner: In backwoods Wisconsin, an ageless hermit welcomes alien visitors--and foresees the end of humanity . . . Enoch Wallace is not like other humans. Living a secluded life in the backwoods of Wisconsin, he carries a nineteenth-century rifle and never seems to age--a fact that has recently caught the attention of prying government eyes. The truth is, Enoch is the last surviving veteran of the American Civil War and, for close to a century, he has operated a secret way station for aliens passing through on journeys to other stars. But the gifts of knowledge and immortality that his intergalactic guests have bestowed upon him are proving to be a nightmarish burden, for they have opened Enoch's eyes to humanity's impending destruction. Still, one final hope remains for the human race . . . though the cure could ultimately prove more terrible than the disease. Winner of the Hugo Award for Best Novel, Way Station is a magnificent example of the fine art of science fiction as practiced by a revered Grand Master. A cautionary tale that is at once ingenious, evocative, and compassionately human, it brilliantly supports the contention of the late, great Robert A. Heinlein that "to read science-fiction is to read Simak." … (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member jnwelch
I read somewhere that not many readers are aware of sci-fi writer Clifford Simak any more. I hope that's not true. His City, featuring intelligent, peace-loving dogs who've inherited an abandoned planet, was a big deal for me when I was a kid, and he had some wonderful short stories. After Roni
He lives in a mysterious farmhouse "so slick and smooth that dust could not cling upon its surface, nor weather stain it". Simak has a tranquil, evocative writing style, and he lovingly describes the woodland area in which Enoch lives and his daily routine, including brewing his coffee in an old metal pot. In that time of Cold War fears, Enoch, in his farmhouse in the Wisconsin woods, may be at the crossroad of humanity destroying itself, or instead joining the Galactic community.
The story, which draws in government agents, local rascals, and intriguing offworlders, features a macguffin called the Talisman, and some supernatural elements via a deaf and mute local girl. The story elements of this Hugo award winner may not be at the level of a Dune or Childhood's End, but it is a reader-friendly and vivid tale that felt like I was reading it out in the woods by a crackling fire. Simak's writing ages much better than that of many other sci-fi writers from that time period, and I hope he continues to get the recognition he deserves.
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identified Way Station as her favorite of his, I got off my duff and finally read it. Although I may not be as starry-eyed now as when I read City, I very much enjoyed this tale of a seemingly ageless Civil War veteran in the 1960s, Enoch, living in rural Wisconsin and involved in mysterious doings that may turn out to be alien-related.He lives in a mysterious farmhouse "so slick and smooth that dust could not cling upon its surface, nor weather stain it". Simak has a tranquil, evocative writing style, and he lovingly describes the woodland area in which Enoch lives and his daily routine, including brewing his coffee in an old metal pot. In that time of Cold War fears, Enoch, in his farmhouse in the Wisconsin woods, may be at the crossroad of humanity destroying itself, or instead joining the Galactic community.
The story, which draws in government agents, local rascals, and intriguing offworlders, features a macguffin called the Talisman, and some supernatural elements via a deaf and mute local girl. The story elements of this Hugo award winner may not be at the level of a Dune or Childhood's End, but it is a reader-friendly and vivid tale that felt like I was reading it out in the woods by a crackling fire. Simak's writing ages much better than that of many other sci-fi writers from that time period, and I hope he continues to get the recognition he deserves.
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LibraryThing member whatever1013
This is one of the books I remember reading a long time ago and liked. Maybe it's my mood today, but I just couldn't get back into it. I found myself skipping over a lot of (what i feel are) angsty author blather that's better suited to teenage fanfic melodrama.
BUT, I still liked the supplementary
I liked the *concept* behind this book more than I liked the execution of it. One man on Earth chosen to run a Galactic Way Station in the lonely northern Wisconsin woods? That is hella cool.
I suppose when one solitary being is singled out like that -- to be the only person on Earth to not only *know* about alien life, but to have actual proof of it -- I should expect a certain amount of introspective blather but it just fell flat for me.
Your Mileage May Vary. ;-)
BUT, I still liked the supplementary
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characters more than the main one and found myself wanting to read to the end. Not because I wanted to see the ending (since i knew what the outcome was going to be) but because I couldn't quite remember all the details of it. And I wanted to see what the minor characters were going to do. I liked the *concept* behind this book more than I liked the execution of it. One man on Earth chosen to run a Galactic Way Station in the lonely northern Wisconsin woods? That is hella cool.
I suppose when one solitary being is singled out like that -- to be the only person on Earth to not only *know* about alien life, but to have actual proof of it -- I should expect a certain amount of introspective blather but it just fell flat for me.
Your Mileage May Vary. ;-)
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LibraryThing member AHS-Wolfy
Enoch Wallace was sitting on his porch one day when a traveller approached and offered him a very singular opportunity: Become a caretaker for a new way station for travellers to take their ease as they take respite from their journey's. But these travellers are not your ordinary everyday type of
A simple but intriguing and beguiling tale with few but interesting characters that really suck the reader in. The central character is a masterful creation, at once the loneliest man on Earth but also the only one to feel kinship with many visitors to whom his fellow man remain totally unaware. It's a very moving tale where you feel Enoch's loneliness as well as his anguish over a decision for his and Earth's future which is weighing on his mind. If this is a book about aliens then why does it contain so much humanity?
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people, indeed many of them are not everyone's idea of people at all. They come from all over the galaxy and Earth is a convenient place for a stop along the route for this part of it. Implicit in his acceptance is that he will not divulge his activities to his fellow man and will care faithfully for those who come and go. In return, he will not age while he is inside of the station only when he sets foot outside will his body clock resume. Almost a hundred years have past since he took up his duties, meeting all sorts of weird and wonderful beings who would often bring gifts for the station-keeper, which he has performed admirably but out on his own world someone has taken notice of a story that seems more like a folk-tale. There is a man living on an isolated farm that doesn't seem to age. Has he discovered the secret of immortality or is there something else afoot? CIA agent Claude Lewis has been tasked to investigate and he might just stir up a hornet's nest by doing so.A simple but intriguing and beguiling tale with few but interesting characters that really suck the reader in. The central character is a masterful creation, at once the loneliest man on Earth but also the only one to feel kinship with many visitors to whom his fellow man remain totally unaware. It's a very moving tale where you feel Enoch's loneliness as well as his anguish over a decision for his and Earth's future which is weighing on his mind. If this is a book about aliens then why does it contain so much humanity?
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LibraryThing member majkia
Rating: Quite Good
Originally published in 1963. Hugo Award winner and deservedly so.
Enoch is a quiet man. He keeps to himself and gives his neighbors no reason to be upset with him. He has little to do with anyone other than getting his mail and buying supplies now and again.
The neighbors do
No one guesses that this quiet man is keeper of an intergalactic way station where aliens arrive most days, say awhile to rest, then continue on their light year journeys. Until, that is, a deaf mute girl local girl seeks his help from her abusive family.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Told in a very quiet, simple way, with an intriguing premise and interesting characters.
Originally published in 1963. Hugo Award winner and deservedly so.
Enoch is a quiet man. He keeps to himself and gives his neighbors no reason to be upset with him. He has little to do with anyone other than getting his mail and buying supplies now and again.
The neighbors do
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notice, however, that he has lived far longer than is normal, but well, he’s no trouble and nice enough so no one wants to make waves about weird goings on. No one guesses that this quiet man is keeper of an intergalactic way station where aliens arrive most days, say awhile to rest, then continue on their light year journeys. Until, that is, a deaf mute girl local girl seeks his help from her abusive family.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Told in a very quiet, simple way, with an intriguing premise and interesting characters.
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LibraryThing member craso
This is the story of Enoch Wallace, a lonely Civil War veteran who becomes the caretaker of a galactic way station. No one on Earth knows about the way station or the aliens that pass through it. Everyone thinks it is an old farm house and that Enoch is an eccentric loner.
Enoch Wallace is a
Enoch meets many different aliens who give him gifts and talk with him. He learns about other worlds and philosophies and makes friends with these creatures. A practical man, he takes people as they come. This makes him the perfect custodian for the way station.
Clifford Simak, along with Ray Bradbury and Jack Finney, are known as pastoral science fiction writers. Their works take place in rural America. This type of setting makes even fantastic stories seem more believable. Who knows what could be going on in that old farm house on the outskirts of town?
This novel was a quick and enjoyable read. It's not just a science fiction novel, Simak uses the story to express his belief in the human intellect and spirit. Enoch is a developed individual who is an equal to any alien who comes through the way station. He is proof that Earth belongs with the other civilizations in the galactic federation. That is, once the race matures and outgrows the stupidity of greed and war.
Enoch Wallace is a
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fascinating character. He lives a very unique life. To keep in touch with the outside world he orders books and subscribes to magazines, which are delivered by his only friend; the local postman. He does not age while in the station which makes him practically immortal. The only time he grows older is when he takes his daily hour long walk to the mailbox.Enoch meets many different aliens who give him gifts and talk with him. He learns about other worlds and philosophies and makes friends with these creatures. A practical man, he takes people as they come. This makes him the perfect custodian for the way station.
Clifford Simak, along with Ray Bradbury and Jack Finney, are known as pastoral science fiction writers. Their works take place in rural America. This type of setting makes even fantastic stories seem more believable. Who knows what could be going on in that old farm house on the outskirts of town?
This novel was a quick and enjoyable read. It's not just a science fiction novel, Simak uses the story to express his belief in the human intellect and spirit. Enoch is a developed individual who is an equal to any alien who comes through the way station. He is proof that Earth belongs with the other civilizations in the galactic federation. That is, once the race matures and outgrows the stupidity of greed and war.
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LibraryThing member clark.hallman
Way Station (1963), by Clifford D. Simak, is one of the classic science fiction novels that all fans should read. It is a well-written and very enjoyable novel, which won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1964. Enoch Wallace, a Civil War Veteran, was chosen to be the keeper of a way station on Earth
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for interplanetary travel by aliens. He has been administering the way station for about 100 years or so, which has prevented him from having much of a human life on Earth, except for daily walks to meet the mailman and to exercise. However, his exotic position has kept him young because he doesn’t age within the way station. He only ages when he steps outside the way station for his walks or just to sit on the steps and enjoy the outdoors. Most of the time, Enoch finds that he is not too lonely inside the Way Station because he receives frequent visits by many alien beings from many planets. In fact he considers many of those travelers to be his friends, he enjoys conversing with them, and they bring him many gifts from all over the galaxy. In addition, he has much work to do as part of his station duties, including keeping detailed journals about each visitor and all station events. However, his only human contacts are his mailman and a few acquaintances that he may encounter during his walks in the rural area around the way station. This is a fascinating and engrossing story that has almost no violence and little action. However, Enoch is a smart, compassionate, dependable and endearing character. He also engenders much sympathy from the reader as he goes about his duties inside the impenetrable way station helping travelers from all over the galaxy, while having really no in-depth relationships with any human beings. This is a very contemplative story and the reader gets to know Enoch very well. The book rewards the sympathetic reader when Enoch gets an opportunity to provide a very important service to his beloved Earth and her citizens. I found reading this book to be a truly moving experience. It is a beautiful read, and I recommend it to everyone! Show Less
LibraryThing member empress8411
This is not a space opera. There are no space ships or laser guns or daring space flights. This is a simple, quiet sci-fi novel, with a deep well of thought and meaning. The end question is - do humans deserve the chance to find our own way or are we too dangerous to be left to our own ways? Enoch,
Woven into this is Enoch’s own journey – to let go of the past, to embrace the future, and to accept what may come. In the end, it is the way being a Station Master has changed his own perceptions that allow him to find the answer. There is a deep philosophical bent to this story.
That isn’t to say there isn’t action. The plot is brisk, with constant changes. Simak prose is heavy with imagery, the kind that makes the story alive in your mind.
It is easy to see why this book won the Hugo. A well-deserved award for a fantastic science fiction story.
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with his gentle manner and striking intelligence, seeks to find a way to convince his employers (not humans) that Earth deserves the change to live.Woven into this is Enoch’s own journey – to let go of the past, to embrace the future, and to accept what may come. In the end, it is the way being a Station Master has changed his own perceptions that allow him to find the answer. There is a deep philosophical bent to this story.
That isn’t to say there isn’t action. The plot is brisk, with constant changes. Simak prose is heavy with imagery, the kind that makes the story alive in your mind.
It is easy to see why this book won the Hugo. A well-deserved award for a fantastic science fiction story.
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LibraryThing member Stbalbach
It's curious this is so popular and so bad. It's the same old reactionary authoritarian world view endemic to most classic science fiction. Set aside the core message and there isn't much left, the writing is stiff, the characters wooden, the plot unmemorable. At best it's comfort food.
LibraryThing member TheDivineOomba
This book is Hugo Winner from 1964. I can see why it won - its beautifully written, with a great leading character, and a very interesting premise - Aliens need a way station that gets them to their next stop, and Earth is just one station in this large network. It read a bit like Sand Country
however, its not perfect. At times, there is too much niceness. The Government men in this story, for example, actually being reasonable in a situation that I wouldn't consider reasonable. Or the ending of the story, the came out of left field, and solved all the problems, from the Galactic Government breaking up, to the Earth being admitted to the alliance... It came out of nowhere.
One last thing, this book doesn't feel dated at all. Outside of a few things (lack of automation, for example), the book feels modern. It even has a modern feel about accepting diversity and not judging on looks.
Overall, a very well written book and worthy of the awards won.
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Almanac at times, with the lead character pondering over nature and what has changed in the years since he became keeper of the station.however, its not perfect. At times, there is too much niceness. The Government men in this story, for example, actually being reasonable in a situation that I wouldn't consider reasonable. Or the ending of the story, the came out of left field, and solved all the problems, from the Galactic Government breaking up, to the Earth being admitted to the alliance... It came out of nowhere.
One last thing, this book doesn't feel dated at all. Outside of a few things (lack of automation, for example), the book feels modern. It even has a modern feel about accepting diversity and not judging on looks.
Overall, a very well written book and worthy of the awards won.
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LibraryThing member write-review
Is Humanity Inherently Violent
Published in 1963, Clifford Simak’s novel won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1964. The novel deals with whether war is inevitable, if violence is ingrained in the human genome, and what price might be too great to avoid conflict, even nuclear destruction, the last
Enoch Wallace, returned from the Civil War, settles in his hometown of Millville, Wisconsin, (Simak’s hometown). There a stranger calls on him, a visitor from the galaxy. He and his galactic organization have been watching Enoch and believe him the suitable candidate to operate their new Earth way station. The way station serves as an intermediary point in the transmission of aliens from one world to another, a concept Simak explains thoroughly through Enoch in the novel. Enoch agrees and from then to the time of the novel he manages the way station, becoming familiar with a myriad of alien cultures. He pays careful attention, learns from each, and records his experiences in a series of notebooks. Alien engineers reconditioned his old house for the assignment, the result of which makes it imperious to nature and man, with the added benefit to Enoch of stopping the normal aging process. Because of this, with the passage of time, Enoch limits his contact with the few people who live in the area, excepting his mailman, and a small rowdy clan close by. Within that clan is a young deaf and mute girl who, Enoch notices, seems to process unique abilities, but most of all appears incredibly sensitive to her own life spirit and that of the those around her.
No man can live in isolation forever, especially if it becomes apparent that while all age and die around him, he continues unchanged. So, the government becomes aware of him and dispatches a CIA agent to observe him, and this eventually grows into a larger operation. The agent removes the body of an alien who died during transit and whom Enoch honored with transitional burial, an act that also preserved the peace. The agent removes the body and this creates conflict with the alien’s home planet, as well as giving a faction against expanding into our part of the galaxy fodder for their opposition. Additionally, the young girl, Lucy, in conflict with her family, endangers Enoch and his mission. In the end, with international tensions high on Earth and threatening war, with pressure from the galaxy faction endangering Enoch’s tenure, and with a spiritual object that helps keep the galaxy worlds in harmonious balance stolen, with all at its bleakest, Lucy comes to the rescue of humanity and worlds beyond. And with this, therein lies the answer to humanity’s to exercise its better part.
All in all, readers will find this remains a good example of intelligent science fiction that grapples with existential issues in a manner accessible to everyone.
Published in 1963, Clifford Simak’s novel won the Hugo Award for Best Novel in 1964. The novel deals with whether war is inevitable, if violence is ingrained in the human genome, and what price might be too great to avoid conflict, even nuclear destruction, the last
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a key consideration in society of the time as the world was in the midst of the Cold War.Enoch Wallace, returned from the Civil War, settles in his hometown of Millville, Wisconsin, (Simak’s hometown). There a stranger calls on him, a visitor from the galaxy. He and his galactic organization have been watching Enoch and believe him the suitable candidate to operate their new Earth way station. The way station serves as an intermediary point in the transmission of aliens from one world to another, a concept Simak explains thoroughly through Enoch in the novel. Enoch agrees and from then to the time of the novel he manages the way station, becoming familiar with a myriad of alien cultures. He pays careful attention, learns from each, and records his experiences in a series of notebooks. Alien engineers reconditioned his old house for the assignment, the result of which makes it imperious to nature and man, with the added benefit to Enoch of stopping the normal aging process. Because of this, with the passage of time, Enoch limits his contact with the few people who live in the area, excepting his mailman, and a small rowdy clan close by. Within that clan is a young deaf and mute girl who, Enoch notices, seems to process unique abilities, but most of all appears incredibly sensitive to her own life spirit and that of the those around her.
No man can live in isolation forever, especially if it becomes apparent that while all age and die around him, he continues unchanged. So, the government becomes aware of him and dispatches a CIA agent to observe him, and this eventually grows into a larger operation. The agent removes the body of an alien who died during transit and whom Enoch honored with transitional burial, an act that also preserved the peace. The agent removes the body and this creates conflict with the alien’s home planet, as well as giving a faction against expanding into our part of the galaxy fodder for their opposition. Additionally, the young girl, Lucy, in conflict with her family, endangers Enoch and his mission. In the end, with international tensions high on Earth and threatening war, with pressure from the galaxy faction endangering Enoch’s tenure, and with a spiritual object that helps keep the galaxy worlds in harmonious balance stolen, with all at its bleakest, Lucy comes to the rescue of humanity and worlds beyond. And with this, therein lies the answer to humanity’s to exercise its better part.
All in all, readers will find this remains a good example of intelligent science fiction that grapples with existential issues in a manner accessible to everyone.
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LibraryThing member weird_O
A relatively short novel, [Way Station] encompasses the American Civil War at one end of its storyline and the Cold War at the other, pitting peaceful isolation against human brutality. Oh, and space aliens too. The splendid wise, pacific, almost loving sorts, not H. G. Wellsian warriors who
Enoch Wallace returns from Civil War battlefields to his family's farm in a remote corner of Wisconsin. His parents die, but he stays put, working the fields alone. It's not a prosperous life, but he's content. Then a passing stranger solicits a bit of hospitality, is rewarded, and converses long and deep with Enoch. Eventually, this stranger, named Ulysses by Enoch, makes an unusual job offer, one that transforms his ancestral home, prolongs his life, and deepens his isolation. As the narrative begins, Wallace is about 125 years old and has but a single regular visitor, the postman. His daily routine turns on a long stroll around his property that ends at the mailbox, where he collects his considerable mail, the occasional parcel, and hears the news and gossip of the day. This routine naturally draws attention and makes people curious, then suspicious.
The rest is The Story, for Enoch is a stationmaster on an intergalactic thoroughfare. Attention is not good. How will it be dealt with?
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neglect due diligence, violently try to subdue new territory, and discover that the new turf is not hospitable (to them).Enoch Wallace returns from Civil War battlefields to his family's farm in a remote corner of Wisconsin. His parents die, but he stays put, working the fields alone. It's not a prosperous life, but he's content. Then a passing stranger solicits a bit of hospitality, is rewarded, and converses long and deep with Enoch. Eventually, this stranger, named Ulysses by Enoch, makes an unusual job offer, one that transforms his ancestral home, prolongs his life, and deepens his isolation. As the narrative begins, Wallace is about 125 years old and has but a single regular visitor, the postman. His daily routine turns on a long stroll around his property that ends at the mailbox, where he collects his considerable mail, the occasional parcel, and hears the news and gossip of the day. This routine naturally draws attention and makes people curious, then suspicious.
The rest is The Story, for Enoch is a stationmaster on an intergalactic thoroughfare. Attention is not good. How will it be dealt with?
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LibraryThing member igor.kh
I like the development of the contemplative Enoch Wallace character, as well as Enoch himself. The plot itself was a bit pulpy for my tastes. But, that is a sign of the times, much like the obligatory threat of nuclear war looming over Enoch's Earth.
The pacifist sentiments expressed in the book are
The pacifist sentiments expressed in the book are
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very nice. Most disappointing I found the old memes that "there are things in the universe that human minds cannot comprehend" and that there exists a tangible spirit connecting all living beings in the universe. Otherwise, a good book. Show Less
LibraryThing member stellarexplorer
The dated sensibility, a naïveté, an optimism were refreshing. I liked the whole understated telling.
LibraryThing member RobertDay
The UK 1976 Methuen paperback reprint has a cover by Chris Moore which is almost completely wrong in every respect, except that it captures extremely well what the book is about!
LibraryThing member LJT
This book won the Hugo Award in 1964. Written in Simak's unique and recognizable style, it tells of a happening in Rural America...the existence of a Way Station for non-humans passing through Earth on the way to elsewhere, with a human caretaker who took the job on right after the Civil War. Now,
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100 years later, he is beginning to get some official attention. Watchers, of a sort. The watchers do something in ignorance (and greed for knowledge) that throws a spanner in the whole works. Their action threatens the caretaker's plans to help Earth become a participant in the galactic federation. How the problem is solved is a bit mystical for a science fiction story, but very typical of Simak's writing. I think it a wonderful book. Show Less
LibraryThing member Fernandame
Audiobook - I enjoyed this SF book - I usually do not enjoy SF but this one was very easy to read and the story was very interesting
LibraryThing member grundlecat
Another great one from Simak. Way Station is the first real science fiction book I ever read - and it hooked me for life. Enough said.
LibraryThing member RBeffa
In the early 1980's I read a lot of Clifford Simak's fiction. He rather quickly established himself as one of my favorite authors. I read most of his works that I could find but found I didn't care all that much for some of his last books, which seemed to veer more towards fantasy than science
We find Enoch 100 years after having taken on the task having hardly aged in the 100 years because the time he spends in the waystation is out of time for him - he doesn't age - he only ages during the 1 hour or so a day he spends outside on earth. His longevity has drawn some notice, and The story cannot but help having some of the cold war menace about it, but it also is more about Enoch's concern about humanity and how he looks forward to the time when mankind has grown up enough to join the vast galactic civilization that is out there, which he learns and meets little by little over the years as caretaker of the civilization. And yet, in the face of this are the conclusions he draws from his studies and statistical analysis of the world that shows mankind heading straight to another world war and possible destruction.
Enoch is a lonely man, since he cannot interact with human society in many ways, and this sort of parallels his thinking of earth being alone with the galactic civilizations out there, yet not being able to interact. This is a thoughtful, rather philosophical novel. Unfortunately some of the philosophical ramblings and the recounting of the supposed fabulous knowledge of various races scattered all over the universe and how they could help mankind came across as a bit of mushy mess. There was also a bit too much of running around in circles within Enoch's mind as he tried to puzzle out one mystery or another.
Still, I enjoyed re-reading this story and it held up well for me considering it was written 50 years ago. I think it was perhaps a better book in my memory than it was in re-reading however.
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fiction. A lot of Simak's good science fiction, though, does contain what could be considered as fantasy elements. His writing at times has reminded me a bit like Ray Bradbury's in the storytelling and setting. Waystation was one of my favorites. It was originally written in the early 60's when the United States put focus on the centennial of the American Civil War. It is a story about a civil war veteran, Enoch Wallace, a union soldier, who returns home to the family from four years of fighting. His mother and father soon pass on and he is alone and pondering a new beginning. He lives in a quite rural location and has an unusual visitor who offers him an unlikely way to have that new beginning. The visitor asks Enoch to be the caretaker of a waystation on Earth, a stop off point for galactic travellers. We find Enoch 100 years after having taken on the task having hardly aged in the 100 years because the time he spends in the waystation is out of time for him - he doesn't age - he only ages during the 1 hour or so a day he spends outside on earth. His longevity has drawn some notice, and The story cannot but help having some of the cold war menace about it, but it also is more about Enoch's concern about humanity and how he looks forward to the time when mankind has grown up enough to join the vast galactic civilization that is out there, which he learns and meets little by little over the years as caretaker of the civilization. And yet, in the face of this are the conclusions he draws from his studies and statistical analysis of the world that shows mankind heading straight to another world war and possible destruction.
Enoch is a lonely man, since he cannot interact with human society in many ways, and this sort of parallels his thinking of earth being alone with the galactic civilizations out there, yet not being able to interact. This is a thoughtful, rather philosophical novel. Unfortunately some of the philosophical ramblings and the recounting of the supposed fabulous knowledge of various races scattered all over the universe and how they could help mankind came across as a bit of mushy mess. There was also a bit too much of running around in circles within Enoch's mind as he tried to puzzle out one mystery or another.
Still, I enjoyed re-reading this story and it held up well for me considering it was written 50 years ago. I think it was perhaps a better book in my memory than it was in re-reading however.
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LibraryThing member gbelik
Enoch is a former farmer and Civil War soldier who now tends a house which has become an indestructible fortress and serves as a connecting point for interstellar travel, even though Earth itself knows nothing of these alien beings and their technolog. As long as he remains in the building, Enoch
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does not age. He has met and befriended beings from all over the galaxy. But now, 100 years plus after he began this unusual life, unrest in the galactic federation threatens the station. Enoch must decide where his loyalties lie: with his primitive home planet Earth or with the more advanced galactic organization which represents the future. This is a great story, gripping and thought-provoking. Show Less
LibraryThing member santhony
This is a Hugo award winning work of science fiction, written by one of the early writers of the genre, Clifford Simak. The premise is that a backwoods hermit operates a “way station” of sorts for the transportation of intergalactic travelers. Because of his remote location and lifestyle, he is
Despite being quite old, the story has aged well and contains numerous very thought provoking issues and plot elements. With only one exception, the alien constructs mentioned in the story all appear to be bi-pedal humanoid beings, which would seem to be quite unlikely, however other aspects of the story display more imagination. All in all, a very pleasant, entertaining story.
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able to operate for over a hundred years, without aging, and without attracting undue attention. Finally, the wrong person takes notice, setting off the chain of events that form the basis of the story.Despite being quite old, the story has aged well and contains numerous very thought provoking issues and plot elements. With only one exception, the alien constructs mentioned in the story all appear to be bi-pedal humanoid beings, which would seem to be quite unlikely, however other aspects of the story display more imagination. All in all, a very pleasant, entertaining story.
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LibraryThing member Hegemellman
This book was amazing and made a good change of pace from epic, gritty, or intricate science fiction. This is the "bottle show" of the science fiction world. Set on 1960s Earth* (and written on 1960s Earth*) it is about a civil war veteran (not the grizzled type though, or, if he ever was, it has
I enjoyed the sense of wonder and the warm, logical mind of the narrator.
*Put in its perspective, the novel makes sense thematically as well as seeming less naive than if it was written today. For example, there is a deaf-mute girl who plays a central role in the story. The author (or at least the narrator) subscribes to the idea that because she can't communicate with the world, she must have this wondrous and extrasensory inner life. She is treated as more pure than the rest of us andeventually rises to be attain the holiness that is attributed to her from the get-go . It was my least favorite part of the story, but I just kept telling myself that there wasn't a reason why she couldn't be this way given the established rules of this universe.
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long smoothed over into a man full of wonder and love of life) who mans an interplanetary stopover station. This is the story of the upsetting of his routine.I enjoyed the sense of wonder and the warm, logical mind of the narrator.
*Put in its perspective, the novel makes sense thematically as well as seeming less naive than if it was written today. For example, there is a deaf-mute girl who plays a central role in the story. The author (or at least the narrator) subscribes to the idea that because she can't communicate with the world, she must have this wondrous and extrasensory inner life. She is treated as more pure than the rest of us and
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LibraryThing member pussreboots
Way Station by Clifford D. Simak won the 1964 Hugo for best novel. I chose to read it based on the award. I should mention that I'm not a Simak fan. I read some of his novels as in college and wasn't impressed. I even threw one of them across the room, The Goblin Reservation. Knowing this one was
Way Station has a contemporary setting — the mid 1960s. The U.S. government has been monitoring a hermit — Enoch Wallace — for decades. As anyone can guess, he's been there since the Civil War.
The government investigation has a Twin Peaks feel to it and had it stayed focused on it, I would have loved it. But the focus changes to Enoch's point of view. Rather than discovering his secret we're told out right that, yes, he's really more than a hundred years old and here's the reason why.
Through Enoch we're in turn introduced to a character named Ulysses who loves to reminisce. Those memories end up being the bulk of the book as well as lengthy discussions on humankind's fate and it's inability to adapt to alien technology. Thus, the drama and mystery of the first few pages is replaced with a rather humdrum dialog between an altered human and his alien guest.
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so well received, I decided I should give it a chance. I should note that I've also repeatedly tossed Huck Finn across the room even though I love most of Mark Twain's books.Way Station has a contemporary setting — the mid 1960s. The U.S. government has been monitoring a hermit — Enoch Wallace — for decades. As anyone can guess, he's been there since the Civil War.
The government investigation has a Twin Peaks feel to it and had it stayed focused on it, I would have loved it. But the focus changes to Enoch's point of view. Rather than discovering his secret we're told out right that, yes, he's really more than a hundred years old and here's the reason why.
Through Enoch we're in turn introduced to a character named Ulysses who loves to reminisce. Those memories end up being the bulk of the book as well as lengthy discussions on humankind's fate and it's inability to adapt to alien technology. Thus, the drama and mystery of the first few pages is replaced with a rather humdrum dialog between an altered human and his alien guest.
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LibraryThing member jessicariddoch
good classic science fiction. This relies on character as well as situation. It was also very refreshing to have a well written female character in a classic age novel
LibraryThing member hailelib
Published in the early 60's, Way Station won a Hugo award in 1964. Enoch Wallace, A Civil War veteran, is approached after he returns to the family farm in Wisconsin and offered the opportunity to serve as the keeper of a way station for alien travelers who are passing through on their way
I really enjoyed this novel. While I've had it for a very long time, for some reason I had never read it but I imagine that I will read it again some day. Recommended for fans of classic SF.
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elsewhere. He accepts and we find him in the 1960's, virtually un-aged and still keeping the station. The government has finally noticed that there is something odd going on and has sent an agent to watch him. One of his neighbors has also taken a dislike to him and relations in the galaxy have grown tense because of the lost of an artifact called the Talisman. With all this going on Enoch's quiet life may be coming to an end. At the very least there will be changes ...I really enjoyed this novel. While I've had it for a very long time, for some reason I had never read it but I imagine that I will read it again some day. Recommended for fans of classic SF.
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LibraryThing member Linkmeister
Oh my. I'm a Simak fan of long standing, and I'd somehow missed this.
Way Station is the tale of a galactic empire's outpost on Earth. An American Civil War-era house has been modified to suit the needs of travelers from all parts of the galaxies, complete with tanks of life-supporting solutions in
The house is manned by Enoch, a forever-young Civil War vet who has been studying the materials and conversations he's had with all his "guests" and recording them for use by a smarter Earth.
Earth itself is heading for nuclear disaster on a runaway train unless Enoch and a galactic friend can find the Talisman, an object which summarizes all the knowledge of the worlds and can bring peace to the restive ones.
It's not so much a Quest as a riveting philosophical story, with a few twists thrown in.
Way Station is the tale of a galactic empire's outpost on Earth. An American Civil War-era house has been modified to suit the needs of travelers from all parts of the galaxies, complete with tanks of life-supporting solutions in
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which they refresh themselves on their way elsewhere.The house is manned by Enoch, a forever-young Civil War vet who has been studying the materials and conversations he's had with all his "guests" and recording them for use by a smarter Earth.
Earth itself is heading for nuclear disaster on a runaway train unless Enoch and a galactic friend can find the Talisman, an object which summarizes all the knowledge of the worlds and can bring peace to the restive ones.
It's not so much a Quest as a riveting philosophical story, with a few twists thrown in.
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Awards
Hugo Award (Nominee — Novel — 1964)
Locus All-Time Best (Science Fiction Novel — 31 — 1998)
Language
Original language
English
Original publication date
1963
Physical description
251 p.; 18.3 cm
ISBN
8741636368 / 9788741636368
Local notes
Omslag: Ole Kragh
Omslaget viser et rumvæsen, en mand, en flyvende tallerken over et lille hus ude på landet
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra amerikansk "Waystation" af Finn Andersen
Der står godt nok Fin Andersen som oversætter, men det tror jeg ikke på
Omslaget viser et rumvæsen, en mand, en flyvende tallerken over et lille hus ude på landet
Indskannet omslag - N650U - 150 dpi
Oversat fra amerikansk "Waystation" af Finn Andersen
Der står godt nok Fin Andersen som oversætter, men det tror jeg ikke på
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Pages
251
DDC/MDS
| 813 |