Main human character, now old and a gardener, is visited by the same alien leader who took over humans and earth when character was younger.

[Scifijay]

When main character was younger, he was active in the conflict of aliens and humans. At the end, he is happy as a retired gardener. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks again.

 

[nixie]

A few books spring too mind, do you have any more details ?

 

[Danny McG]

This is yet another book search that's really going to annoy.
Your snippet of a story sounds hauntingly familiar and I know I've read it at some time.

Cursed memory - gah!

 

[Danny McG]

This is yet another book search that's really going to annoy.
Your snippet of a story sounds hauntingly familiar and I know I've read it at some time.

Cursed memory - gah!

I know I've read this within the last two years, and it was a re-read.
So bloody annoying!
Must remember. Must remember. Must remember.

 

[Vince W]

This one makes me think of The World of Ptavvs by Larry Niven, but I don't have the book to hand. Actually, it sounds like a couple of Niven's books.

 

[Parson]

This sounds a bit like a bit from Evan Currie's "Odyssey One" series. But the whole story evolves over a book or two? More?


Edit: On second thought it might be in the Frontiers Saga by Ryk Brown

 

[E-DUB]

Had he perhaps lost a limb in the conflict? And perhaps the alien had likewise? If so that sounds very familiar.

 

[Scifijay]

When main character was younger, he was active in the conflict of aliens and humans. At the end, he is happy as a retired gardener. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks again.

Thank you all for your comments and questions, it appears we are getting close. First of all, this was a novel. I believe the conflict was more of a takeover by the aliens, than a full blown battle, like that in Childhood’s End. Humans were allowed to live peacefully, and the main character human being was a gardener at the end of the story. The last chapter was a conversation with the alien leader and the gardener, who mutually respect each other. Hope this helps.

 

[Scifijay]

Additionally, perhaps a giant powerful telescope may have played a part in this novel. Thanks again to all.

 

[Alex The G and T]

Smells a little like Simak, to me. I can't name a title, though.

 

[Bick]

Smells a little like Simak, to me. I can't name a title, though.

Exactly what I thought, but I can’t think of a specific title that seems to match it. Thinking cap on...

 

[Hugh]

I'm well-read in Simak: I'd be surprised if this was written by him, though I can see why people think it might be.

 

[Matteo]

If it is a Simak, perhaps Dave Wixon or Ralf could help out?

It's ringing a little, bell for me - but only if the character is gardener at the start of the book and is taken out of retirement to help out. I want to say Van Vogt, but not sure that's right.

 

[Hugh]

The thing is from the description it feels like it could be Simak. For instance "A Choice of Gods" or even "Way Station", but there is just too much that is different.

 

[Danny McG]

I'm thinking now that it's maybe from one of the Timothy Zahn 'Blackcollar' series books, but my copies are at my sisters house so it'll be a couple of days until i can check

 

[Danny McG]

I'm thinking now that it's maybe from one of the Timothy Zahn 'Blackcollar' series books, but my copies are at my sisters house so it'll be a couple of days until i can check

Nope. It was not from the Blackcollar series.

 

[PaulMmn]

The thing is from the description it feels like it could be Simak. For instance "A Choice of Gods" or even "Way Station", but there is just too much that is different.

Probably NOT "Way Station--" Enoch (Our Hero) was NOT a gardener. He did have a small garden plot, but it was briefly mentioned (once, I think). Our Hero ran the hi-tech communication and teleportation station on Earth.

 

[Scifijay]

From what I further recall is that our retired gardener put himself in self-exile, hiding out in a peaceful existence. The final chapter occurs after many years have gone by from the previous one. Also, as I mentioned earlier, our hero was being sought out by the alien leader for some time, and loose ends are neatly tied up in a discussion. The alien leader suspected the human of doing something in the past, which he admitted to. I seem to remember the alien saying, “I knew it was you!” Never remember reading Simak. Hope this helps.