The Way Back

"The Way Back" by Sam Moskowitz is a mid-20th century science fiction novel following Michel Drawers, a space traveler adrift in the universe and alienated from Earth. The story centers on his quest for identity and a sense of belonging amidst the stars, driven by his yearning for home and human connection. After a quest for the mineral Roxite leads him to a distant galaxy, he discovers a beautiful planet inhabited by the golden people, a tranquil and telepathic race. As Drawers uses his knowledge to aid them, he finds the purpose he was missing in his life. A connection is forged around a golden woman, Trajores, and he faces a critical realization that his true path lies not in returning to a world, but in embracing a new life found with these kind-hearted aliens. The novel culminates in an emotional resolution, exploring love, acceptance, and the true meaning of home.

Sam Moskowitz was an American writer, critic, and historian of science fiction.