The story takes place on a planet where the inhabitants are genetically engineered to be perfect and conform to societal norms. The protagonist is a prospector who travels through space in search of valuable artifacts. He discovers a mysterious object that allows him to alter reality, but at a terrible cost. As he uses the object's power, he becomes increasingly isolated from society and his own humanity.
By Robert Sheckley · First published 1959 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Satire