Science Fiction Trivia

[Disembodied]

That's not Sci-fi - that's Life In Derby.

I'll take your word for it! Although having read the book in question, I sincerely hope not ... there are parts that give Cormac McCarthy's The Road a run for its money.

I mentioned that this author is probably better known for a science-fiction series aimed at what the book trade calls "Young Adults". Some of these YA books were made into a UK TV series.

[Selezen]

It's not "Noah's Castle" by John Rowe Townsend, is it?

[Disembodied]

It's not "Noah's Castle" by John Rowe Townsend, is it?

You're right, it's not!

The TV series was of (some of) the YA fiction that the author is more famous for. It's unrelated to the book we're looking for here, though.

[Disembodied]

Probably another clue is due. The global famine in question is caused by virus.

[Cody]

The global famine in question is caused by virus.

Ah... The Death of Grass, by John Christopher (aka Christopher Samuel Youd)?

[Disembodied]

Ah... The Death of Grass, by John Christopher (aka Christopher Samuel Youd)?

Correct! Still surprisingly harrowing, given its age ... it must have been even grimmer in the 1950s, as it cuts right through any jolly notions about "Brits all rallying round together". There's not much Blitz spirit on display here. John Christopher's YA science fiction adapted for UK TV was of course The Tripods.

Over to you, EV!

[Cody]

Okay, this should be easy: an aging spacer hitches a ride on an Earth-bound spaceship. Title and author, please.

[Cody]

Clue the first: the old spacer is a wandering minstrel, renowned across the solar system for his poetry/songwriting. His time is near, and he is going back to Earth to die.

[marcusrg]

Wow, that must be a good one to read! I don't know it, but I will wait for the answer! I'll look it up!

[marcusrg]

One more clue, maybe?

[Cody]

Clue the second: the minstrel was once a spaceship engineer, but was blinded in a radiation accident. Since then, he has criss-crossed the solar system, hitching rides and paying for his passage by entertaining the crews. His final song bears the same title as the tale in question, as does the short story collection which contains it.

[Zieman]

Dang, I think I read this story quite recently (2 years ago tops), but can't remember the author or name...

[Cody]

Clue the third: a certain well-known science officer once recorded a reading of this tale – he also met a similar fate to that of the blind minstrel.

[marcusrg]

Maybe, "The Green Fields on Earth", by Robert A. Reinlen? Found it here

[Cody]

It is indeed The Green Hills of Earth.

We pray for one last landing,
On the globe that gave us birth,
Let us rest our eyes on the fleecy skies,
And the cool, green hills of Earth. ~'Noisy' Rhysling

Over to you, marcus.