The Chasers

"The Chasers" by Daniel F. Galouye is a science fiction story where two space travelers, Kent Cassidy and Gene Mason, find themselves stranded on a strange planet inhabited by beings that resemble humans. After a crash landing, they discover a world of unusual customs, where wild chases are a favorite pastime and advanced technology is strangely absent, even though spaceships exist. As Cassidy and Mason try to fix their damaged ship, they meet intriguing characters, including a local girl named Riva and her father, and get caught up in the bizarre and humorous way of life on this planet. The story poses questions about what it means to be civilized and explores the nature of play in a society that seems to have gone backwards in terms of technological advancements, all while the protagonists yearn to return home from their absurd and bewildering situation.