And Then the Town Took Off

"And Then the Town Took Off" by Richard Wilson is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story centers around the town of Superior, Ohio, which unexpectedly rises into the sky, leaving behind chaos and confusion for its residents. The protagonist, Don Cort, finds himself trapped in this airborne town and must navigate a bizarre situation filled with eccentric townspeople, including a crackpot professor who may hold the key to their predicament. The opening of the novel introduces the shocking and surreal event of Superior lifting off the ground, setting a mysterious and humorous tone. The narrative starts with the shock from a truck driver, who discovers the town missing, leading to a chain of events that includes the involvement of the military and local authorities. As the townspeople adapt to their new reality, Cort must confront the challenges of being stranded while unraveling the scientific absurdities behind their levitation, all while developing interrelationships with various intriguing characters, including the mayor and the professor.