A Cabin On The Coast

by Gene Wolfe

• Page count: 9

A Cabin On The Coast is a 1984 science fiction / fantasy short story by Gene Wolfe. It is about a young man who makes a deal with an alien ship in exchange for his girlfriend's life.

A Cabin On The Coast follows the story of Timothy Ryan Neal, the son of a famous politician. When he takes his girlfriend to his father's beach house (or cabin) he wakes up one morning to find her missing. Though the police suggest that she drowned in the ocean, Timothy is convinced that she was kidnapped by the mysterious ship he sees now and again in the sea. Concerned not only about her life, but also about his father's reputation, he journeys out to try and make things right.

My first contact with the writings of Gene Wolfe was by reading the absolutely amazing and multiple award winning The Book of the New Sun. I have been a fan ever since. This is the first short story of his that I have read. Though it is set in modern times, the magic and genius of Gene Wolfe's style shines through. Eloquent, thought provoking and just plain weird, A Cabin On The Coast is well worth the time spent reading it.

A Cabin On The Coast was nominated for the 1985 Nebula and Locus awards for Best Short Story.

It might have been a child's drawing of a ship. He blinked, and blinked again. There were masts and sails, surely. One stack, perhaps another. If the ship were really there at all. He went back to his father's beach cottage, climbed the five wooden steps, wiped his feet on the coco mat. Lissy was still in bed, but awake, sitting up now. It must have been the squeaking of the steps, he thought. Aloud he said, "Sleep good?" He crossed the room and kissed her. She caressed him and said, "You shouldn't go swimming without a suit, dear wonderful swimmer. How was the Pacific?"

Where you can find A Cabin On The Coast:

• A Cabin On The Coast first appeared in the February 1984 edition of Fantasy & Science Fiction.

• It has been collected in Gene Wolfe's book of short stories Endangered Species.^†

• A Cabin On The Coast has also been included in Gardner Dozois's The Year's Best Science Fiction: Second Annual Collection and The Best of the Best: 20 Years of the Year's Best Science Fiction.^†

For a great in-depth review of not only the storyline but also the mechanics of how its written, be sure to check out science fiction author James Van Pelt's review of A Cabin On The Coast.

Gene Wolfe is highly regarded by critics and fellow writers alike. Patrick O'Leary has stated, "Forget 'Speculative Fiction.' Gene Wolfe is the best writer alive. Period." (A statement I tend to agree with) You can learn more about Gene Wolfe by reading a 2003 interview conducted by Infinity Plus.

If you liked this story you may also enjoy Tideline by Elizabeth Bear

† - This is an affiliate link.  Learn more on my Privacy & Disclosure page.

(This is a revised version of a post which was originally published on BestScienceFictionStories.com on Feb 17th, 2008.)