5,271,009

"5,271,009" is a science fiction/fantasy short story by American writer Alfred Bester. First published in The Magazine of [Fantasy & Science Fiction], in 1954, it is also known as "The Starcomber".

Plot summary

To repair the mind of insane artist Jeffrey Halsyon, supernatural being Solon Aquila causes Halsyon to live out various wish fulfillment scenarios—all of which are terribly flawed.

History

The story was commissioned to fit a pre-existing piece of cover art, wherein a man in a prison uniform is shackled to an asteroid.
Bester subsequently explained "5,271,009" as being the number of decisions a man must make in his life; too, the number features in each scenario in some manner.

Reception

has described it as "one of favourite shorts ", and Tim Sullivan called it "an extraordinary exploration of solipsism."
Critic and editor Sherryl Vint has posited that the story might be read as "an analogy for relationship to sf", while Fiona Kelleghan has described Aquila as "a sort of fallen angel".