A Hitch in Space by Fritz Leiber
A Hitch in Space is a science fiction novel written by Fritz Leiber and published in 1953. The story follows the adventures of space pilot John Carter, who finds himself stranded on an alien planet after his ship crashes. With the help of a beautiful native woman named Dejah Thoris, he must find a way to repair his ship and return home. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles and dangers, including hostile creatures and treacherous terrain. The novel is known for its imaginative world-building and fast-paced action sequences.
By Fritz Leiber · First published 1953 · Genre: Science Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Adventure · 4,362 words
First lines
My Space-partner was a good reliable sidekick-but _his_ partner was something else!
Once when I was doing a hitch with the Shaulan Space Guard out Scorpio way, my partner Jeff Bogart developed just about the most harmless psychosis you could imagine: he got himself an imaginary companion.
What this Textopian page supports
A Hitch in Space is listed on Textopian as a short story by Fritz Leiber, dated 1953 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Fritz Leiber
- Date: 1953 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Psychological Fiction, Adventure, Humor
- Length: 4,362 words
- Structure: 1 section, 91 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for A Hitch in Space by Fritz Leiber
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The story is set in space, involving space travel, futuristic technology, and a space guard, which are key elements of science fiction.
- Psychological Fiction — The plot revolves around the psychological state of a character who develops an imaginary companion, exploring themes of mental health and identity.
- Adventure — The narrative includes elements of adventure, such as space travel, unexpected challenges, and survival in a hostile environment.
- Humor — The story contains humorous elements, particularly in the interactions between the protagonist and his partner's imaginary companion.
Tags
science fiction · space travel · humor · adventure · interstellar · aliens · time travel · satire · cosmic · exploration · technology · parallel universes