Looking for an Sci Fi story I once read.

[El Conquistador]

Years ago I read either a short story or a book ( I cannot remember) and would like to find it.

The plot is far into the future with many civilized worlds throughout the galaxy. A political crisis evolves that threatens the peace in the galaxy. There is one elder statesman who has retired to a world on the edge of the galaxy who is the galaxy's only hope to broker the peace. So the galaxy summons him to the galactic capital.

Because it is far into the future, the house the statesman lives in is completely automated supplying his every need. So, as he prepares to depart, the house begins to do things to keep him from leaving. At the conclusion, he simply sits down in his easychair and never leave.

At 73, this is kind of how I feel about travel. So, I would like to find this again. Anybody know what work I am referring to?

Steve

[Song]

It sounds like an Isaac Asimov short. https://asimov.fandom.com/wiki/List_...y_Isaac_Asimov

[valleyguy]

I'm 74 and I can identify with your feelings.

Good plot.

[Highroller]

Originally Posted by El Conquistador

... So, as he prepares to depart, the house begins to do things to keep him from leaving...

So, it sets him up with a vintage J-200?



I agree, it sounds very Asimov-ish, but I couldn't begin to guess a title. The guy wrote hundreds of short stories.

[El Conquistador]

Originally Posted by Song

It sounds like an Isaac Asimov short. https://asimov.fandom.com/wiki/List_...y_Isaac_Asimov

Thnx. I did not find it on the list.

Steve

[Silly Moustache]

Hi, ex teenage sci-fi fan here.

I'm sorry but I don't recognise the storyline of the "smart house" restricting the activity of the dweller, but I do tend to identify with his attitude to travel.

In our '60s and '70s we had hoped to travel a lot more, but my illnesses make doping so a) too complicated due to my eating/swallowing issues, and the impossibility of my getting travel insurance.

However, I also have a long lasting memory of a striking story that I'd love to find which involved a traveler crash landing on an unknown planet and attempting to do the Robonson Crusoe thing but challenged by the local flora and fauna acting strangely. The terms "geoplancting" and "xenogutting" have stayed with me.

Do these strange terms ring any bells?

[Jeff Scott]

Originally Posted by El Conquistador

So, as he prepares to depart, the house begins to do things to keep him from leaving. At the conclusion, he simply sits down in his easychair and never leave.

Steve

Made me think of Luis Buñuel's The Exterminating Angel.

[M19]

You may be thinking of the short story "The Huddling Place" by Clifford Simak? It was written in 1944.

The details are different (he can't leave to perform the surgery to save his best friend on Mars), and it isn't the technology that prevents him per se, but his reliance on it that has turned into agoraphobia.Your description made me think of it anyway. It is in a collection I have called The Science Fiction Hall of Fame, which has lots of classics like "Nightfall" "Microcosmic God" "Arena" "Flowers for Algernon" and a 6 page stunner "The Nine Billion Names of God"

[Aimelie]

Originally Posted by El Conquistador

Years ago I read either a short story or a book ( I cannot remember) and would like to find it.

The plot is far into the future with many civilized worlds throughout the galaxy. A political crisis evolves that threatens the peace in the galaxy. There is one elder statesman who has retired to a world on the edge of the galaxy who is the galaxy's only hope to broker the peace. So the galaxy summons him to the galactic capital.

Because it is far into the future, the house the statesman lives in is completely automated supplying his every need. So, as he prepares to depart, the house begins to do things to keep him from leaving. At the conclusion, he simply sits down in his easychair and never leave.

At 73, this is kind of how I feel about travel. So, I would like to find this again. Anybody know what work I am referring to?

Steve

You could try posting a request here: https://www.sffchronicles.com/forum/book-search/

Good luck! (And do tell us if you figure it out—I’m curious! )

[El Conquistador]

Originally Posted by Aimelie

You could try posting a request here: https://www.sffchronicles.com/forum/book-search/

Good luck! (And do tell us if you figure it out—I’m curious! )

I think I just posted it on that forum. Hopefully, someone will know what it is. I will keep you-all updated.

Steve

[El Conquistador]

Lot's of interest in the story, but, no luck. Everyone seems to like the plot, maybe I should write the story? : )

[Song]

Originally Posted by Silly Moustache

The terms "geoplancting" and "xenogutting" have stayed with me.

Do these strange terms ring any bells?

I searched both words separately and this story popped up on both https://scifistories.com/s/1033/always-a-qurono


https://duckduckgo.com/?q=xenogutting&ia=web

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=geoplancting&ia=web