7.8 /10 1 Votes
Language English Originally published February 2008 Published in Asimov's Science Fiction Awards Theodore Sturgeon Award | 3.9/5 Goodreads Publication date February 2008 Publication type Magazine | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Genre(s) Science fiction novelette Nominations Hugo Award for Best Novelette, Nebula Award for Best Novelette Similar James Alan Gardner books, Other books | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
"The Ray-Gun: A Love Story" is a science fiction novelette published in 2008 by James Alan Gardner. It won the 2009 Theodore Sturgeon Award. It was nominated for the 2009 Hugo Award for Best Novelette as well as the 2009 Nebula Award for Best Novelette.
Plot summary
The story is about an unpopular teenage boy who finds an alien ray gun in the forest. Although he does not do much with the gun contemplating its design or use, and handling the ray-gun when alone, gives his life more direction and purpose. The story has some elements of "coming of age" stories in that it follows an adolescent becoming an adult, PhD student, and ultimately finding love. The ray-gun played a role in the direction of his life in all these things. However, in the end the ray-gun itself is abandoned as too dangerous or no longer needed.