No matter how many times "underground classic" get repeated on various web sites, the novel version really doesn't get past "interesting." 60's angst mixed with 40's pulp aliens and way way too much introspection. Whenever things happen, Neville writes quite well and poignantly. But until near the end, little happens, just various characters thinking depressed thoughts about life and the universe. Thinking themselves to death, in some cases. Stick with the short story version in Silverberg's Strange Gifts anthology. ( )