The Byworlder

About this book

Three years ago a vast alien starship from Sigma Draconis arrived in the solar system, and humanity still has no idea what its envoy wants. The best scientists, linguists and philosophers on Earth have struggled to understand the visitor, and have only deepened the mystery. Some see a marvel. Others see a threat. Entire religions have formed around it. Young Skip, a restless, irreverent twenty-two-year-old with a gift for cartooning and a habit of falling a little in love with everyone he meets, is drifting through a desert commune in New Mexico, where the followers of Theontology wait in the cold before dawn to watch the ship cross the sky. To them it may be a manifestation of God. To Skip it is an endless wonder, a challenge, and maybe someday a chance for him. Poul Anderson, the Hugo Award-winning master of science fiction, blends first-contact suspense with a sharply observed portrait of a near-future society searching for meaning among new faiths, new technology and a sky that has suddenly become occupied. Thoughtful, adventurous and full of human warmth and humour, The Byworlder is a classic of vintage science fiction for readers who love big ideas. Start reading The Byworlder online instantly in your browser, right after purchase.

Author

Poul Anderson

Length

~216 pages

Reading time

4 h 18 min

Chapters

2

Released

November 11, 2026

Languages

UND · 🇬🇧 EN · 🇵🇱 PL · 🇩🇪 DE · 🇫🇷 FR · 🇪🇸 ES · 🇮🇹 IT · 🇧🇷 PT-BR · 🇲🇽 ES-MX · 🇵🇹 PT · 🇺🇦 UK · 🇨🇿 CS · 🇸🇰 SK · 🇬🇷 EL · 🇭🇺 HU · 🇹🇷 TR · 🇳🇱 NL · 🇷🇴 RO · 🇧🇬 BG · 🇭🇷 HR · 🇷🇸 SR · 🇸🇮 SL · 🇱🇹 LT · 🇱🇻 LV · 🇪🇪 ET · 🇸🇪 SV · 🇩🇰 DA · 🇳🇴 NB · 🇫🇮 FI · 🇯🇵 JA · 🇰🇷 KO · 🇨🇳 ZH · 🇹🇼 ZH-TW · 🇮🇩 ID · 🇻🇳 VI · 🇹🇭 TH · 🇮🇳 HI · 🇸🇦 AR · 🇮🇱 HE

Formats

eBook

Print format

Paperback, 13.5 × 21 cm, 260 pages

Age rating

Teen 13+