1960's or 70's book about spaceship colony gone awry

[weatherman]

It's right at the tip of my tongue - a sci-fi story written (I think) in the 60's or 70's about a spaceship on a colonization mission that has traveled so long (generations) that the civilization within the colony ship has collapsed, and the occupants have actually forgotten they are on a ship at all. Also, because of radiation leakage some of the occupants have mutated and are at war with other segments of the population.

Anyone remember that story?

 

[iansales]

Non Stop by Brian Aldiss? Captive Universe by Harry Harrison?

 

[weatherman]

Ah, that helped a lot - I looked at Non Stop and that seemed very familiar but the plot wasn't 100% and the ending seemed wrong to me, so I dug deeper and I'm pretty sure the book I'm talking about is Heinlein's Orphans of the Sky aka Universe, which actually dates back to 1941.

Thanks for the tip - it lead me in the right direction, and you've also given me two more books to put on my reading list!

BTW just as a recommendation for anyone interested in "generation ship" stories, I recently read Half Way Home and Wool by Hugh Howey and both of those books incorporate similar ideas. Available (ideally) as ebooks for $3-$5.

 

[j d worthington]

Yes, the "mutations" bit certainly is closer to Heinlein's book (which is actually a combination of two novelettes, both published in 1941) than Aldiss' Non-stop (published 1958). However, if you've not read them both, I suggest doing so... it makes for an interesting contrast.....

 

[Lilmizflashythang]

I was unaware this idea was a book. It sounded, to me, like the storyline of "Pandorum." Guess you learn something new everyday.

 

[Moss Ryder]

I cant believe noone got this yet.. Its Orphans of the Sky by Heinlein!

 

[Ursa major]

I cant believe noone got this yet.. Its Orphans of the Sky by Heinlein!

You mean the book mentioned in post#3?

 

[Moss Ryder]

and post 4 . so much for answering q's after 15-hour shifts... im used to these types of answers in boldface, but i can't believe i glanced right past those somehow, lol...

 

[Tiggertim]

I was wondering if this was a book I read when I was younger. Does Heinlein refer to "blisters" on the outside of the ship?