Before I Wake (Scott novel)

Before I Wake is a science fiction novel by Allen Steele, published in 2018. The novel follows the crew of the generation ship Argus as they approach their destination, Tau Ceti e. The journey, intended to colonize the exoplanet, has been long and arduous, complicated by both external dangers in interstellar space and internal conflicts among the ship's population, many of whom have lived their entire lives within its confines.

The story centers on the ship's anthropologist, Dr. Elias Thorne, who is tasked with understanding and mediating the growing social tensions. A mysterious illness is also spreading, causing vivid and disturbing hallucinations amongst the crew, raising questions about the ship's systems, the true nature of their mission, and the psychological toll of living in isolation for generations.

Before I Wake explores themes of isolation, the psychological effects of long-duration space travel, social stratification within a closed environment, and the challenges of maintaining hope and purpose over generations. The narrative combines elements of hard science fiction with character-driven drama, focusing on the human element of interstellar colonization.