• Source: 5,271,009

"5,271,009" is a science fiction/fantasy short story by American writer Alfred Bester. First published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, in 1954, it is also known as "The Starcomber".




Plot summary


To repair the mind of insane artist Jeffrey Halsyon, supernatural being Solon Aquila causes Halsyon to live out various wish fulfillment scenarios—all of which are terribly flawed.




History


The story was commissioned to fit a pre-existing piece of cover art, wherein a man in a prison uniform (with the serial number 5271009) is shackled to an asteroid.
Bester subsequently explained "5,271,009" as being the number of decisions a man must make in his life; too, the number features in each scenario in some manner.




Reception


David Langford has described it as "one of [his] favourite shorts (by Bester)", and Tim Sullivan called it "an extraordinary exploration of solipsism."
Critic and editor Sherryl Vint has posited that the story might be read as "an analogy for [Bester's] relationship to sf", while Fiona Kelleghan has described Aquila as "a sort of fallen angel".




References






External links


5,271,009 at the Internet Speculative Fiction Database

Kata Kunci Pencarian:

• The Men Who Murdered Mohammed
• The Computer Connection
• Alfred Bester
• The Demolished Man
• 5,271,009
• Alfred Bester
• The Stars My Destination
• The Demolished Man
• Time is the Traitor
• The Computer Connection
• The Deceivers (Bester novel)
• Tender Loving Rage
• Psychoshop
• Golem100