The Bryd

"The Bryd" by Noel M. Loomis is a science fiction story from the 1950s that looks at what it means to be human, touching on love and loyalty, all through the experiences of an immortal alien called the Bryd. The Bryd lives inside the mind of Dale Stevenson, a scientist on a space station studying the sun. Dale gets caught up in tricky international problems and stands at a crossroads where his choice could cause terrible disaster. Unpacking Dale's history, the story reveals his difficult connection with his injured sister, Marillyn, and his growing feelings for Ann Wondra. As Dale gets drawn into a risky scheme to stir up trouble between countries, he battles his own feelings of responsibility and guilt about his sister. The Bryd, who tries to stay out of human affairs, finds itself stepping in at crucial points and creating an amazing answer to protect Dale and the people he loves. The story beautifully blends sacrifice, responsibility, love, and the uplifting effect of helping others, leading to a satisfying ending that shows the tangle of human feelings as seen through the eyes of an alien.