Voyage to Far N'jurd

"Voyage to Far N'jurd" by Kris Neville is a science fiction story from the 1960's, set on a spaceship and focused on the crew as they anxiously await the Festival of the Casting Off, a major happening filled with tradition. The story weaves through themes of responsibility, social standards, and the complicated connections between people living in a structured space society. It shows the crew's lives as they get ready for this important festival, a strange social event called "Casting Off," where they share worries and desires about what will happen to them, blending personal dreams with strong-held beliefs. The captain struggles with the pressure of his job, and Father Nestir, the priest, has funny but serious talks with the crew about what they owe eachother and acting as companions. As the festival gets closer, disagreements pop up, uncovering hidden tensions that lead to surprises and tough choices during the traditional events.