I am looking for a science fiction short novel. I read it in the early 1980’s, so it was probably written in the ‘70s. It took place in a universe in which space travel and reincarnation with memories intact were taken for granted. The main character was scheduled to meet his woman partner at a prearranged place and time around 20 years old, but when they met, she was only about 12 due to an accident and her having to start over. His space ship was run by an artificial intelligence. During the course of the book he got into and out of lots of trouble and came up with several significant inventions. It turns out that he does a bit of time travel and his ship collides with a passenger ship, which ironically is carrying his partner. When he dies near the end, he is not reincarnated. He is told that he achieved a very significant life and that cycle is over for him. As far as I remember, all the sentient beings in the book are humans.
I never forgot this book, but in those days I was ready voraciously and I never remembered this title or author. Can anyone help me identify this?
I never forgot this book, but in those days I was ready voraciously and I never remembered this title or author. Can anyone help me identify this?
