AboutGeoff Expertise I have read most of the short stories and books produced by the Top 80-100 authors in the SF field, as well as more obscure authors such as Robert Sheckley, and can answer any queries regarding author, title or theme of a short story(or novel). I can also answer questions on the history and influence of Science Fiction past to present, as well as on specific SF genres such as Cyberpunk,Golden Age SF, H G Wells-style scientific romances etc.
Experience Am currently doing a writing course for writing Science Fiction Books, with the Writer's Bureau in the UK.<
Expert: Geoff Date: 3/11/2008 Subject: title/author of short sf story
Question I read many years ago a short sf story about an astronaut assigned to communicate with an alien on another planet or space station. This astronaut was the latest in a series of others, all of whom had returned home insane and subsequently locked in an institution. The protagonist of the story did not want this fate and fought to maintain his connection to his sanity and culture. He ultimately triumphed in this, but by not allowing his mind to be "bent" to that of the alien, he inadvertently caused the demise of the alien. Any idea of the title or author of this piece? I have wondered this for years.
Answer I'm virtually certain that the novelet you're looking for is "Stranger Station" by Damon Knight. Just look at any short-story collections by Damon Knight, and many of them should have this novelet inside, as it's quite famous in the SF genre.
