The other day I finished Way Station by Clifford D. Simak. It is the second book in my June-July “Other Worlds” while Reading Challenge.I didn’t visit any “other worlds” in the novel, but there are beings from other worlds in the book.
Way Station – Clifford D Simak
Way Station by Clifford D Simak is based on the premise that there are millions of sentient being throughout the universe These beings travel from world to world via transporter like machines. In order to travel to far reaches of the galaxy it is necessary to make frequent stops at Way stations along the way.
On Earth there is one way station. It’s located in the middle of nowhere in Wisconsin and has been manned by Civil War veteran Enoch Wallace for the last 100 years.
Throughout the years, Enoch has met a variety of alien species almost all of which are far more developed than residents of Earth. Some have passed through only once while others have stopped several times and even become friends with Enoch. Most have left gifts for Enoch.
But now after all these years someone is watching Enoch and the watcher may have discovered something in Enoch‘s Family graveyard that could put Enoch‘s Way Station in jeopardy.
Additionally, the Inter-Galaxic Council, for which Enoch works is in turmoil. There is also a throughout the Galaxy.The reason is that the Talisman that connects beings to the universal spiritual force is missing.
Earth, as well, is on the verge of war. Ulysses the being who recruited Enoch to be the Station master gives Enoch a possible solution that will end all war. But the solution may be worse than war! Can Enoch speak for the whole world and accept the solution???
In addition to being under surveillance by the watcher, Enoch’s Way Station is also being threatened by a neighboring farmer. The neighbor is upset because Enoch has befriended the neighbor‘s deaf mute daughter. Enoch had previously saved the daughter from her violent father after he beat her and called her a witch.
Final Thoughts
Simak weaves all the various threads presented throughout Way Station into a satisfying ending for Way Station. It left me wanting to know more about the aliens who visited the station and the Inter-Galactic council
Clifford Simak wrote Way Station in 1963 and I think it holds up really well. One aspect of Way Station that stood out very early to me (uh, like in the first paragraph) was Simak‘s intricate and beautiful prose.
I also enjoyed the character of Enoch Wallace. Although I find it a little hard to fathom that somewhere in those 120 years he didn’t tell someone about the world out there! Even if it was only in a book! And what a book he could have written!!
Anyway Way Station is certainly a four star out of five book for me. I also know I will be reading more from this master of science fiction.
Way Station and My Reading Challenges
Way Station is book two in my mini- June July Other World’s Reading Challenge. Overall it is book 30 of 2018. The Book falls in overall in the Science Fiction Challenge. The sub-Challenge it belongs is the Classic Science Fiction authors whose works I have not read Challenge. It is the first book in that category. The Challenge is to read five books in that category.
About Clifford D Simak
Clifford Donald Simak (/ˈsɪmək/;[1] August 3, 1904 – April 25, 1988) was an American science fiction writer. He won three Hugo Awards and one Nebula Award.[2][3] The Science Fiction Writers of America made him its third SFWA Grand Master,[4] and the Horror Writers Association made him one of three inaugural winners of the Bram Stoker Award for Lifetime Achievement Read More
