Of Stegner's Folly

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Shaver, Richard S., 1907-1975

Series:

Produced from If Worlds of Science Fiction March 1952.

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"Of Stegner's Folly" by Richard S. Shaver is a science fiction novella written during the early 1950s. The narrative revolves around Professor Stegner's groundbreaking yet disastrous invention of a selective anti-gravitational field, which not only alters the elements of matter but also has consequences for living organisms, inadvertently creating a world filled with oversized creatures. The story explores themes of scientific ambition, the unforeseen repercussions of technological advancements, and humanity's struggle to cope with the consequences of its own curiosity and ambition. The plot follows a journalist who witnesses the fallout from Stegner's experiments. Initially, the professor's invention seems to rejuvenate life, promoting growth and healing ailments such as lead poisoning. However, as the field expands, it results in the emergence of gigantic animals, drawing crowds and prompting chaotic events. After Stegner disappears, the journalist discovers a hidden community of giants created by the professor's work, caught in a power struggle with those seeking to exploit his findings for their gain. The narrative escalates into an intense confrontation as the military grapples with monstrous creatures and Stegner's legacy, ultimately leading to a fight for survival against the overwhelming consequences of human hubris and the pursuit of immortality. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net

Notes:

Reading ease score: 82.1 (6th grade). Easy to read.

Release date is 2010-05-29