The tomorrow people

In Short

This novel is a dense, psychological exploration of the aftermath of space exploration. It follows Johnny Wendt, a traumatized astronaut who returns from Mars to a shattered life on Earth, and Lisa Trovi, his partner, who discovers that the mysteries of space have followed them home. Amidst political posturing and the cynical maneuvering of a power-hungry congressman, the narrative shifts from the suffocating atmosphere of Earth to the clinical, high-stakes environment of lunar colonies. It remains a notable work for its focus on the internal costs of pioneering the stars.

The Story

The story begins in the aftermath of a three-year voyage to Mars that left one astronaut dead and Johnny Wendt, the survivor, a hollow shell of his former self. Back on Earth, Johnny struggles with alcoholism and severe psychological trauma, while his partner, Lisa, tries to salvage their relationship. Their domestic misery is shadowed by larger forces: Congressman McLafferty seeks to exploit the space program for political gain, while scientists like Phil Kutler and Director Peter Christensen attempt to understand what truly happened on the red planet.

As Johnny’s instability worsens, the narrative pivots to the Moon, where a series of mysterious events unfold. Lisa, having moved to the lunar base to support Johnny and distance herself from his decline, begins to sense something profound. She realizes that the "Mars bug"—the remnants of an alien presence—has altered those who encountered it, including herself and another woman, Maria Harounian. Both women are pregnant, and they begin to manifest extrasensory abilities, suggesting a bridge has been formed between humanity and an alien intelligence.

The plot intensifies as the political pressure on the Moon domes mounts. McLafferty’s cronies and various international delegates attempt to seize control of the "Martian" discoveries, hoping to weaponize or capitalize on the unexplained phenomena. Johnny, finally shaking off his lethargy, makes his way to the Moon to reclaim his life and his partner. He finds himself embroiled in a tense confrontation with the forces of the establishment, including the duplicitous McLafferty and the watchful Director Christensen.

In the final act, the disparate threads—the human trauma, the political espionage, and the emerging telepathic evolution—converge in a high-level summit. Here, the characters move past their petty squabbles and nationalistic rivalries. Johnny, no longer the broken man who arrived on Earth, takes charge. He reveals that the "Mars influence" has provided humanity with a new, miraculous source of energy—a power that renders conventional fuels obsolete. The story ends not with a grand victory of exploration, but with an act of collective will: Johnny volunteers himself and a crew to return to the stars, signaling a shift from a society paralyzed by fear to one ready to embrace its next phase of evolution.

How It Unfolds

The homecoming Johnny returns from a disastrous Mars mission as a broken man, plagued by nightmares and addiction. His partner, Lisa, watches helplessly as his mental state deteriorates within the isolation of their home.

The lunar transition Lisa moves to a lunar research facility, seeking to understand the lingering effects of the Mars mission. There, she encounters a strange, new reality where the residents are beginning to exhibit inexplicable, possibly telepathic, abilities.

The political shadow Congressman McLafferty and his associates plot to gain control of the space program, viewing the alien discoveries as fodder for propaganda or weaponry. Their cold, calculated maneuvering threatens the scientists who are trying to uncover the truth behind the "Mars bug."

The convergence Johnny arrives on the Moon, cutting through the red tape and political friction to find Lisa. He discovers that he is no longer the man he was, and that the strange power he brought back is the key to the future.

The resolution The various factions meet in a summit where the secrets of the Martian influence are laid bare. Johnny assumes a role of leadership, offering a path forward that ignores political boundaries and focuses on the next era of human spaceflight.

The People

Johnny Wendt begins as a tragic, alcoholic figure, physically present but mentally lost in the trauma of his Mars expedition. He evolves into a man of decisive action, finding his purpose by reclaiming his autonomy and leading humanity toward the stars.

Lisa Trovi is a woman of immense strength who initially sacrifices her own career to care for Johnny. Her journey on the Moon transforms her from a concerned partner into a pioneer, as she discovers her own latent, alien-influenced abilities and prepares to face a new future.

Phil Kutler serves as the moral compass and medical expert. He wants to understand the psychological toll of space travel and protect his friends from the predatory nature of the politicians who view the space program as a mere tool for power.

Congressman McLafferty is the primary antagonist, representing the cynical, opportunistic view of space. He wants to leverage headlines and military strength to secure his own legacy, creating a stark contrast to the genuine, albeit dangerous, discovery taking place on the Moon.

In Its Own Voice

"The ship went out with a blast and a prayer."

This description from the prologue highlights the precarious and hopeful nature of the initial, ill-fated voyage to Mars.

"There were two women in her."

This realization describes the internal conflict Lisa experiences as she oscillates between hope for Johnny's recovery and the growing fear that he is beyond saving.

"He was a little sorry when he learned that Chris was on the first shuttle, the one that left ten minutes before Mac got him to the St. Thom Port."

This captures the mundane, bureaucratic frustrations that continue to plague Johnny even as he prepares for his final journey.

What It's Really About

At its core, the book examines the psychological price of progress. It asks whether humanity can handle the burden of the unknown when the initial contact with an alien civilization serves only to illuminate our own self-destructive tendencies. The story functions as a critique of the Cold War-era obsession with "Space races" and nationalistic superiority, arguing that such pursuits are incompatible with the transformative nature of true discovery. It posits that evolution—both physical and intellectual—requires us to shed the baggage of the past, represented by the petty political maneuvering of figures like McLafferty, and move toward a collective, albeit uncertain, future.

Why Read It Today

This novel will appeal to readers who appreciate mid-century science fiction that favors psychological interiority over hard-science hardware. It captures the specific, uneasy atmosphere of the early space age, where the promise of the stars was constantly shadowed by the paranoia of terrestrial politics. Readers should be aware that the prose carries the distinct, sometimes clipped, tone of the 1960s, and the gender dynamics reflect the period’s attitudes toward domesticity and professional life.

However, the book rewards the reader with its deeply empathetic portrayal of human fragility. The portrayal of Johnny’s trauma is surprisingly raw, and the depiction of the lunar colonies as "oases" of scientific inquiry provides a fascinating contrast to the heavy, claustrophobic atmosphere of the Earth scenes. It is a slow-burn narrative that builds toward a quiet, profound realization about the necessity of moving forward even when the path is not entirely clear. What stays with you is the haunting, almost ethereal sense that the greatest risks we take in space are not the dangers of the vacuum, but the radical ways in which those dangers force us to change our fundamental nature.