Trouble with Tycho

The Trouble with Tycho (1961) was the seventh book published by Simak. Weighing in at 115 pages, it is a novella rather than a novel. Like in many Simak books, the hero is not a King or Prince. Simak is uninterested in any game of thrones. Jackson is a small town boy on the moon, sent there by a syndicate of the businessmen from his home town and trying to make it rich. While on his normal business, he runs into Amelia in a broken down lunar vehicle. Amelia is on the moon trying to finish something that her brother started, and not getting very far in the process. Together they see a chance to finally make it big by venturing into the forbidden moon area known as Tycho. The novella is faster-paced than many Simak books. Ultimately, however, it has the same preoccupations and focus. I wish that I could have known Simak as a person. He wrote so many novels in his long career and in each and every one he ultimately reaffirms the choice to be human and to live. Simak fans will not be disappointed, although it is probably not the place to begin with Simak. Unfortunately, the Ace edition is full of editing errors.

Typical Clifford Simak work with a fast pace, lots of action, and interesting characters.