Exile

Fyfe, H. B. (Horace Bowne), 1918-1997Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.0

Word count: 29K words
Chapters: 3

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.Exile by H. B. FyfeAuthor: Fyfe, H. B. (Horace Bowne), 1918-1997,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Aug 16, 2007

Editor's review

Exile is a short work by Golden Age science fiction writer H. B. Fyfe, made available as a free eBook by Project Gutenberg. Fyfe was active in mid-twentieth-century American science fiction magazines, and his work is known for concise narrative pacing and endings with an ironic edge; this piece continues that style: short in length, clear in setup, built around the core concept of "exile," and completing a full science fiction idea within limited space. As a public-domain eBook, its value lies not only in the story itself but also in offering readers a sample for observing the writing tastes of the early science fiction magazine era—science fiction of that time focused more on concepts and twists than on lengthy worldbuilding. It is suitable for reading in one sitting during fragmented time, and also as an introductory read for understanding the short-form science fiction of the Golden Age. Note that this book is in the original English and was written quite early, so its language style differs from contemporary science fiction; readers need some English reading ability.

Who it's for

A good fit for

English-language readers who enjoy Golden Age science fiction shorts with concepts and twists
Researchers who want low-cost eBooks to understand early science fiction magazine style
People with basic English reading ability who want to finish a complete story during commutes
Readers interested in public-domain eBooks and the Project Gutenberg project

Not a good fit for

Science fiction fans seeking novel-length worldbuilding or series works
Readers with limited English reading ability who need a Chinese translation
Readers who prefer contemporary science fiction pacing and character depth

Reading tips

Read through once to grasp the plot, then revisit the setup at the beginning to appreciate the short story's foreshadowing.
Read alongside other Golden Age science fiction shorts to observe how the theme of "exile" was handled in this period.
Pay attention to the twist or irony at the ending while reading; this is a common feature of Fyfe's work.
For the original English, use a dictionary tool; do not stop at unfamiliar expressions—prioritize the story's continuity first.

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 this book in Chinese or English?

This book is in the original English, released by Project Gutenberg as a public-domain eBook. No accompanying Chinese translation is included, so readers need some English reading ability.

Is Exile a novel or a short story?

Judging from author Fyfe's creative background and Project Gutenberg's inclusion format, this is a short science fiction work, suitable for reading in one sitting and not for readers expecting lengthy development.

Does reading this book require a science fiction reading background?

No. The story's setup is clear and the length is short, so it is understandable even without familiarity with Golden Age science fiction; however, knowing the writing habits of magazine science fiction from this period will make it easier to appreciate its appeal.

What are the characteristics of the Project Gutenberg version?

Project Gutenberg is the earliest project providing free eBooks. This book is a public-domain text prepared by the project, freely available, with a layout mainly in plain text, suitable for reading on electronic devices.

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About the author

Fyfe, H. B. (Horace Bowne), 1918-1997 Author

H. B. Fyfe (Horace Bowne Fyfe, 1918–1997) is an English-language author with sixteen works held in the collection, though little is publicly known about his life or nationality. Judging from the listed titles, his writing centres on science fiction and speculative fiction, dealing with alien envoys, satellite systems, war and peace, deadly weapons, and the end of the world; titles such as The Envoy, Her, Satellite System, The Outbreak of Peace, Irresistible Weapon, and This World Must Die! suggest a preference for concise, forceful short stories that explore technology, conflict, and human destiny. The works often carry the tension and speculative flavour of Cold War-era science fiction, with tight plotting and endings that frequently turn on irony or warning. Fyfe is not a widely celebrated classic author, but his productivity and breadth of subject matter are noteworthy.