_zeroseconds
March 23rd, 2003, 12:51 AM
Greetings everyone,
I really can't begin to estimate how long I've been trying to find this particular book, or to even remember the author or title, but I'm hoping that someone may be able to help me out.
I read this book back in my very early teen years, and now that I'm in my 30's, trying to recall the title or author is pretty much impossible. The only thing that does remain in my mind, is the story;
Basically, the story revolves around an astronaut who has come back to earth in the future...roughly 100-200 years into the future. He was kept in stasis during his trip, which somehow went wrong, and ended up putting him in this future time. He's debriefed by the space administration of the day, and basically turned loose into society.
He's now very wealthy, as his bank account was being credited with his rate of pay, the entire time he was in space...along with interest. Needless to say, he will never have to worry about money ever again. The twist of this future, however, is that all basic needs are free. If you need someplace to live, food, clothing, etc., you can just 'sign' for it, and it's given to you. I distinctly remember the 'signing for it' bit, as it struck me as funny. Sign now, never pay?
The rest of the story is his struggle to try and find his place on this future earth, no longer an astronaut, and with no family or friends to even think of. I remember the cover having a picture of the future city he's in, along with 'highways' of a sort, that have these black, bean-shaped 'cars' on them that everyone uses. There's focus on these 'cars' in the story, as they're just automated modes of transportation.
He eventually uses a good chunk of his money to buy a piece of land (which is very valuable in this future earth), and then buys himself a 20th Century automobile.....a car in other words...to drive around in.
I know this isn't a lot of information to go on, but it's all I can remember. I've been looking over the works of a variety of authors, but nothing with this story-line has come up. I'm hoping that my description may trigger someone's memory. The book has to be about 20 years old, maybe a bit newer...so that may help.
If you need more information, or think you may have an idea about the book, please let me know, or post here. Who knows?
I want to thank you all for any help you can give me in this age-old search! :D
I really can't begin to estimate how long I've been trying to find this particular book, or to even remember the author or title, but I'm hoping that someone may be able to help me out.
I read this book back in my very early teen years, and now that I'm in my 30's, trying to recall the title or author is pretty much impossible. The only thing that does remain in my mind, is the story;
Basically, the story revolves around an astronaut who has come back to earth in the future...roughly 100-200 years into the future. He was kept in stasis during his trip, which somehow went wrong, and ended up putting him in this future time. He's debriefed by the space administration of the day, and basically turned loose into society.
He's now very wealthy, as his bank account was being credited with his rate of pay, the entire time he was in space...along with interest. Needless to say, he will never have to worry about money ever again. The twist of this future, however, is that all basic needs are free. If you need someplace to live, food, clothing, etc., you can just 'sign' for it, and it's given to you. I distinctly remember the 'signing for it' bit, as it struck me as funny. Sign now, never pay?
The rest of the story is his struggle to try and find his place on this future earth, no longer an astronaut, and with no family or friends to even think of. I remember the cover having a picture of the future city he's in, along with 'highways' of a sort, that have these black, bean-shaped 'cars' on them that everyone uses. There's focus on these 'cars' in the story, as they're just automated modes of transportation.
He eventually uses a good chunk of his money to buy a piece of land (which is very valuable in this future earth), and then buys himself a 20th Century automobile.....a car in other words...to drive around in.
I know this isn't a lot of information to go on, but it's all I can remember. I've been looking over the works of a variety of authors, but nothing with this story-line has come up. I'm hoping that my description may trigger someone's memory. The book has to be about 20 years old, maybe a bit newer...so that may help.
If you need more information, or think you may have an idea about the book, please let me know, or post here. Who knows?
I want to thank you all for any help you can give me in this age-old search! :D