The novel explores the concept of a world where people can buy and sell years of their lives, allowing them to live longer but also creating a class system based on wealth. The story follows a man who buys his way out of poverty by selling years of his life, but soon realizes that he has lost touch with reality and is unable to connect with others. As the protagonist navigates this world, he begins to question the morality of buying and selling time and the consequences it has on individuals and society as a whole.
By Robert Sheckley · First published 1958 · Genre: Science Fiction, Satire, Dystopian