Age of Anxiety

Published in the mid-20th century, 'Age of Anxiety' by Robert Silverberg is a science fiction novel that delves into themes of choice, maturity, and societal reliance on anxiety-alleviating drugs. The story follows Larry, a teenager on the brink of adulthood, as he confronts a pivotal decision on his seventeenth birthday: to embrace the complexities of adult life or retreat into a drug-induced state of unworry. Through his journey in a futuristic world, Larry encounters various characters that challenge his perceptions of anxiety and responsibility, ultimately leading him to recognize that his ability to worry signifies his readiness for maturity.