Aloys

Raphael Aloysius LaffertyProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.6

Word count: 15K words
Chapters: 2

Summary

Project Gutenberg was the first provider of free electronic books, or eBooks. Michael Hart, founder of Project Gutenberg, invented eBooks in 1971 and his memory continues to inspire the creation of eBooks and related technologies today.Aloys by R. A. LaffertyAuthor: Lafferty, R. A., 1914-2002,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Mar 29, 2016

Editor's review

R. A. Lafferty was a highly distinctive short-form writer in American science fiction and fantasy, and "Aloys" bears his signature grotesque imagination, colloquial narration, and reality-bending logic. The work is brief, yet within its limited narrative space it creates a world that deviates from the norm, reading like an elongated tall tale. Its value lies not in a conventionally complete plot but in the unique reading experience formed by the rhythm of the language, the absurd premise, and the narrator's tone. For readers familiar with Lafferty, it is an opportunity to recognize his stylistic markers; for newcomers, it is more like a side door through which to sense how he handles bizarre material with a light touch. As a public-domain electronic text, it suits being read in one concentrated short session, then revisited to trace the turns and gaps in the narration. It is better appreciated as a stylistic sample and a fantasy short story than as a work sought for realistic logic or emotional depth.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy grotesque short science fiction and fantasy
Readers who want to understand R. A. Lafferty's narrative style
Readers accustomed to finishing a fantasy story in one short session
Those interested in unconventional narrative logic and colloquial texts

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer realistic plots and clear chains of cause and effect
Readers who need lengthy world-building before entering a story
Readers with low tolerance for absurd premises and jumpy narration

Reading tips

Read it straight through first; don't stop to question the logic midway—look back at the turning points after finishing.
On a second reading, pay attention to shifts in the narrator's tone; they are often the key to understanding the text.
Read it alongside other Lafferty short stories to more easily recognize his habitual absurdist techniques.
If using it for discussion, first summarize the surface events of the story, then address the uncertainties in the narration.

About the publisher

Project Gutenberg United States · Founded in 1971

Project Gutenberg is a digital publishing project focused on public-domain ebooks. Its publishing direction centers on classic literary works whose copyright has expired, covering genres such as poetry, drama, fiction, and epic. Representative books include Lyrical Ballads by Wordsworth and Coleridge, Proust's Du côté de chez Swann, Shakespeare's Macbeth and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare, Homer's The Iliad, Dante's La Divina Comèdia: Purgatòri, Cervantes's The History of Don Quixote, Volume 2, and Grahame's The Wind in the Willows. Its author resources consist mainly of classic Western writers such as Wordsworth, Proust, Shakespeare, Homer, Dante, Cervantes, Grahame, and Tolstoy. Its publishing feature is the provision of freely accessible ebooks in EPUB and Kindle formats; it is not a traditional publisher, and publicly available information is limited.

FAQ

Is "Aloys" a novel or a short story?

Judging from how it appears as a public-domain ebook and from Lafferty's working habits, it is a short story, suitable for reading in one or two sittings. It is not long, but the narrative is dense; looking back at details after finishing will go more smoothly than pausing repeatedly midway.

Can I read this directly without having read other works by Lafferty?

Yes. The work itself is short and the barrier to entry is low, but its absurdist logic and colloquial narration may surprise first-time readers. It is best to read it first as a tall tale, without rushing to find a complete explanation, and then decide after finishing whether to continue with his other short stories.

Is this book suitable as an introduction to science fiction?

Not really, as a strict introduction to science fiction. It leans more toward grotesque fantasy and stylized short fiction, and traditional science fiction elements are not prominent. Readers seeking an introduction to science fiction should start with works that have clear plots and well-defined premises; this one is better suited to experiencing narrative style.

Do I need to know the author's background to read this?

No prior knowledge is needed. The text can be read on its own; knowing the author's style helps in recognizing his habitual techniques, but it is not a prerequisite for understanding the story. On a first reading, focus on the narrative tone and the way events connect; if interested, look up more about the author afterward.

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About the author

Raphael Aloysius Lafferty Author · American · 1914–2002

R. A. Lafferty (Raphael Aloysius Lafferty, 1914–2002) was an American science fiction and fantasy writer, born in Iowa and long resident in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He worked as an electrical engineer and served in the Pacific theater during World War II, and did not begin writing until his forties. Over his career he produced more than thirty novels and over two hundred short stories. His style was idiosyncratic and singular, marked by absurdity, ingenuity and a strong relish for language, giving him a distinctive place in genre fiction. He won the Hugo Award in 1972 for "The Devil Is Dead" and received the World Fantasy Award for Life Achievement in 1990. Six of his works are held in the collection, including "The Six Fingers of Time," "The Weirdest World" and "Sodom and Gomorrah, Texas"; other representative works include "Dream World," "Aloys" and "All the People."