The Happy Unfortunate

The Happy Unfortunate is a science fiction novella by Robert Silverberg, written in the late 1950s. Set in a dystopian future, it explores the divide between Spacers, who are genetically enhanced for space travel, and Earthers, who rely on plastic surgery to conform to beauty standards. The story follows Rolf Dekker, a Spacer returning to Earth, as he navigates cultural shock and identity struggles amidst the superficiality of Earther society. Ultimately, Rolf's journey leads him to embrace his identity as a Spacer, rejecting the pressures to conform.