Name this short story

December 13, 2004 2:20 PM

I am vaguely rembering a short story, maybe even Updike (not sure though as it doesn't seem Updikey) about these creatures that live in the woods outside of this guy's house, they are virii or machines or something and reproduce rapidly. What am I thinking of, or what am I smoking?
posted by luriete to media & arts (4 comments total)

Things that live outside and reproduce rapidly? From that description, it could be almost anything. Here's one guess.
posted by painquale at 3:32 PM on December 13, 2004

You may be thinking of "The Sand Kings," by George R. R. Martin.
posted by bigbigdog at 3:43 PM on December 13, 2004

I think it is Updike-- I seem to remember something about nanobot-type things in his novel "Toward the End of Time". Old man in Massachusetts after a limited nuclear war with China, visiting his kids, FedEx guys packing heat. Not one of his best, but nanobots in his back yard IIRC.
posted by hwickline at 3:57 PM on December 13, 2004

Yes, that's it! Nanobots in the backyard, you got it. Thanks!
posted by luriete at 5:11 PM on December 13, 2004