Wailing Wall

Illustrated by Ed Emshwiller

Read

"Wailing Wall" by Roger D. Aycock is a science fiction novel that appears to have been written in the early 1950s. The story unfolds on the alien planet Sadr III, where a group of Terran colonists is struggling to understand the disoriented human natives affected by the oppressive influence of the Hymenop aliens, who have long since abandoned the planet. The novel explores themes of communication, mental health, and the essential human need for emotional connection through dialogue and sharing one's troubles. The narrative centers around the character Farrell, who, after regaining consciousness in a labyrinthine alien dome, discovers the residents of Sadr III are in a catastrophic state due to their inability to share their thoughts and feelings with one another. The Hymenops had installed robotic counselors that served to mediate the natives' emotional exchanges, but with the power systems disabled, this communication line is severed, leading to panic and suicide among the inhabitants. As Farrell and his crew work to reactivate the Ringwave generator, they grapple with the implications of their own humanity and the vital need for emotional catharsis, ultimately recognizing that the natives' predicament is a result of enforced isolation rather than insanity. The story culminates in a resolution that permits the Sadr III natives to resume their natural interconnectedness, suggesting the importance of shared human experience.

Summary written by Project Gutenberg, by machine.