The Rag and Bone Men is a science fiction novella by Algis Budrys, first published in 1962. Set in a distant future, it follows characters Maurer and Charpantier as they interact with the Veld, a mysterious being stranded on Earth who seeks to create a transporter to return home. The story explores themes of existential struggle, identity, and the limits of human understanding in the face of the unknown, raising questions about aspiration and reality.
