Ha! It’s “The Invisible Man”.
Two barely remembered plots from 30 or more years ago:
Plot 1
Earth passes through tail of comment and all moving parts made of metal fuse together. Society barely survives.
Plot 2
Ruler/villian needs blood (factor ?) from noble & innocent young heroine to remain young & healthy. Young hero and old sage help her escape. At end of story, old sage proves that the power of his mind alone can restore his body to youthfulness.
Ideas? Thanks.
mmm, the board is against me tonight… and I can’t type… make that ‘comment’ a ‘comet’…
Well, Plot 1 could be Invaders from Rigel by Fletcher Pratt. Amazon doesn’t have a synopsis of the book, but as I recall, the earth passed through a comet’s tail, and all living creaturs were turned into metal. Some were treated by aliens, and made into living metal, while others remained hunks of fused metal. Not exactlly what you’re talking about, but the only thing I can think of that’s close right now.
No idea about the second one.
No, the first one is The Year Stardust Fell by Raymond F. Jones from 1958. Not a bad story.
Can’t help with the second one.
As regards “Plot 2”, Try “Golden Blood”, by Jack Williamson, originally published in six parts in 1933, doubtless since reprinted.
A man gives blood, not knowing that it has the property of rejuvenation. The blood ends up being given to an old tycoon-type. Unfortunately, the effect only lasts for about one month. People like the original donor become “much sought after”.
That is how it begins. The old man/young man is how it ends, which I will refrain from spoiling.
Perfect! Batting 1000 on this question, thanks much.
Now I just have to track them down - I probably last read these in my early teens (must have been a reprint, not early enough for the original 1933 serial 