The Journal of Nicholas the American

Nebula Award: Best Novel nominee (1987).

Originally published in 1986, The Journal of Nicholas the American tells the story of college student Nicholas Dal – a tele-empath who experiences the emotions of other people. In company, he can only feel what those around him feel, and too-powerful emotion can induce seizures, so he must live in semi-drunken solitude simply to stay sane.

In the past the family talent, or curse, has led to insanity, persecution and murder, and the Dals even fled Russia to escape its deadly legacy. But now a psychiatrist is on Nicholas's tail and his feelings for a fellow student in his history class, and her dying mother Susanne, threaten to break through his isolation. Will he risk his love, his sanity and his life to be with Susanne on her journey past the edge of existence?