About this book
Contagion by Katherine MacLean is a crisp, unsettling science fiction short story that probes how a simple biological mystery can upend an idyllic world. Set on the seemingly perfect planet Minos, MacLean traces the ripple effects of a puzzling affliction tied to food that forces scientists, officials, and everyday people to rethink disease, adaptation, and social response.
Blending clinical observation with psychological insight, the story explores themes of epidemiology, perception, and the fragile assumptions that hold societies together. Written in the context of early postwar science fiction—first published in Galaxy Science Fiction in 1950—MacLean’s work reflects her trademark focus on the human consequences of scientific advances. Rather than relying on melodrama, Contagion unfolds as a taut exercise in problem-solving and moral nuance, showing how subtle biological phenomena can trigger outsized cultural change.
Ideal for listeners who enjoy classic science fiction, epidemiological mysteries, or character-driven speculative tales, this audiobook is a compact, thought-provoking listen that highlights Katherine MacLean’s influence on midcentury science fiction and her enduring talent for marrying ideas with humane storytelling.
