Wanderlust

"Wanderlust" by Alan Edward Nourse is a science fiction story set in the 1950s that highlights the conflict between following your dreams and family expectations. The story follows Tad, a young man eager to leave college and journey into space, a passion that clashes with his father, George Barlow. George, a farmer haunted by painful memories of his own time in space, desperately wants his son to avoid the dangers he once faced. As Tad pushes forward with his plans, the narrative explores the emotional struggle between a father's desire to protect his son and the son's yearning for adventure, revealing the sacrifices and challenges that come with pursuing one's wanderlust. The story is driven by the heartfelt conversations and strong emotions of a family in crisis.