For the last year I’ve been trying to come up with the title of a science fiction short story I read a long while back - and I’m having no luck whatsoever. It has an adolescent theme/plot that I think my daughter would like, and since I’d like to find it while she’s still a teenager, I’m throwing in the towel looking to the eclectic AHL readers for help.
Here’s what I remember – it opens up with a teen/young-adult boy in a psychologist office acting very rebellious. He’s also very smart. As the story progresses the boy keeps escalating rebellious acts, causing trouble in general, and even winds up starting a mini-rebellion. It become obvious to the authorities that he has a plan greater than what it seems on the surface.
During the exposition we also find out that we’re in a future society that is fairly controlling, and specifically to the point of deciding who marries who based on certain criteria, including physical characteristics.
In the conclusion we find out that ... oh what the heck, it’s an old story, but just in case ...
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
If I remember correctly it would be a story written a while back, maybe during the 50s.
Like I mentioned, I read this a long while back, so I may have got some of the particulars wrong – but does it ring any bells with anyone? Thanks.
Here’s what I remember – it opens up with a teen/young-adult boy in a psychologist office acting very rebellious. He’s also very smart. As the story progresses the boy keeps escalating rebellious acts, causing trouble in general, and even winds up starting a mini-rebellion. It become obvious to the authorities that he has a plan greater than what it seems on the surface.
During the exposition we also find out that we’re in a future society that is fairly controlling, and specifically to the point of deciding who marries who based on certain criteria, including physical characteristics.
In the conclusion we find out that ... oh what the heck, it’s an old story, but just in case ...
Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
We find out all the criminal activity was just a head fake to get himself in a position (money and sexually “unlocked”) to marry the girl he was in love with instead of who the government would have assigned him to. Some quick longing by the authorities over their long lost first loves and the story ends.
If I remember correctly it would be a story written a while back, maybe during the 50s.
Like I mentioned, I read this a long while back, so I may have got some of the particulars wrong – but does it ring any bells with anyone? Thanks.
