The novel “Up the Walls of the World” by James Tiptree Jr. was published for the first time in 1978.

The planet Tyree hosts an advanced civilization of creatures who live in its atmosphere. Similar to large manta rays, they live in flight using the winds and have considerable mental powers. None of this, however, seems useful when the Destroyer approaches their planet. This strange being seems invincible and has already destroyed many worlds. Tyree’s inhabitants can only use their mental ability to search for a new world in another part of the galaxy.

On Earth, a group of people with psychic powers takes part in a military experiment. The results are unexpected because they lead to a mental contact with Tyree’s inhabitants. The huge differences between the two species cause confusion in the humans and on Tyree someone decides that the only salvation lies in transferring their minds into the Earthlings’ bodies.