Breakdown

"Breakdown" by Herbert D. Kastle is a science fiction novella penned in the early 1960s. This work explores themes of memory, sanity, and the nature of reality in a post-apocalyptic setting, where the protagonist grapples with an altered world filled with governmental regulations and the remnants of a civilization that has faced catastrophic events. The story unfolds in a rural environment reflecting the anxieties and complexities of a society undergoing drastic changes. The narrative centers on Harry Burr, a farmer who begins to experience unsettling memory lapses and confusion about his life and family. As he feels a growing fear of losing his own sanity, he struggles to recall details about his wife Edna and their nonexistent son, Davie. Overall, Harry’s journey leads him through bizarre encounters as he tries to piece together the fragments of his life while contending with the implications of a war-ravaged world. Ultimately, he discovers that his seemingly regular existence is part of an artificial reality crafted by a scientist who has preserved a few survivors on an "ark" amid a devastated globe. The story raises profound questions about reality, identity, and the human psyche amidst societal breakdown.