Home is where you Left It
The narrative follows Steve Cantwell, who returns to his childhood village on Sirius II, only to find it deserted and the well poisoned. The village, once a thriving Earth colony, has been abandoned due to escalating tensions with the native Kumaji tribes, culminating in a violent raid. Steve learns that his aunt has died from the poisoned water and that the remaining colonists have fled towards Oasis City, a distant refuge. Determined to help, Steve takes to the skies in his unicopter, searching for the caravan of refugees. He encounters hostility from some of the colonists, particularly Tobias Whiting, who resents Steve for abandoning the colony for education on Earth. As the caravan struggles through the harsh desert, Whiting disappears with Steve's unicopter, suspected of betraying the colonists to the Kumaji in exchange for money. Steve and Mary Whiting, Tobias's daughter, set out to find him, facing dangers from Kumaji patrols. They discover the crashed unicopter and realize Tobias has likely reached the Kumaji encampment. Captured by the Kumaji, they find Tobias, who is torn between his desire to protect his daughter and his initial intentions to betray the colonists. In a desperate struggle, Steve kills a Kumaji guard, but Tobias is mortally wounded in the process. As Tobias dies, he sacrifices himself to mislead the Kumaji about the colonists' whereabouts, allowing Steve and Mary to escape. They ride away on a Kumaji beast, evading pursuit and eventually reuniting with the caravan. Steve decides to honor Tobias's last act by portraying him as a hero, ensuring that the colonists believe he died defending them. The story concludes with Steve and Mary looking forward to a new life together, symbolizing hope amidst the desolation.
By Stephen Marlowe · First published 1964 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Drama · 5,562 words
First lines
[Sidenote: _How black is the blackest treachery? Is the most callous traitor entitled to mercy? Steve pondered these questions. His decision? That at times the villain should possibly be spoken of as a hero._]
Only the shells of deserted mud-brick houses greeted Steve Cantwell when he reached the village.
What this Textopian page supports
Home is where you Left It is listed on Textopian as a novel by Stephen Marlowe, dated 1964 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Stephen Marlowe
- Date: 1964 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Drama, Thriller, Western
- Length: 5,562 words
- Structure: 1 section, 156 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Home is where you Left It by Stephen Marlowe
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Home is where you Left It?
- How does this novel by Stephen Marlowe fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Will You Come Back Home by Gilbert Parker
- The Home Coming by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- The Memory by Gilbert Parker
- Freeway by Bryce Walton
- Back There In The Grass by Gouverneur Morris
- Unchanged by Gilbert Parker
Genres
- Science Fiction — The story is set in a futuristic, extraterrestrial environment with advanced technology and explores themes of colonization and survival.
- Adventure — The plot involves a perilous journey across a desert landscape, highlighting the characters' struggles and determination.
- Drama — The narrative delves into personal relationships, moral dilemmas, and emotional conflicts among the characters.
- Thriller — The tension escalates with the threat of violence from the Kumaji and the urgency of the characters' situation.
Tags
home · identity · belonging · memory · nostalgia · family · relationships · self-discovery · journey · loss · forgiveness · redemption