My top 100 list probably underrepresents what many would view as the science fiction classics and over represents my favorite authors, most of who wrote prominently in the last few decades.  This Alfred Bester classic is one of the notable exceptions.  I judge classic science fiction on how well it holds up and this one holds up very well.

The story introduces a very cool scientific concept called “jaunting.” (personal teleportation) The concept of jaunting is interesting, and the single-minded pursuit of revenge by the main character was fresh even considering the story is 50+ years old and the concept of revenge has been explored time and time again in literature. This story went in many directions I did not expect and yet I never felt cheated.  It creates real stakes that hold up even now and the resolutions are well earned.