Innocent at Large

Anderson, Poul, 1926-2001Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.3

Word count: 41K words
Chapters: 5

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.Innocent at Large by Karen Anderson and Poul AndersonAuthor: Anderson, Poul, 1926-2001,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Apr 3, 2016

Editor's review

Innocent at Large was written by Karen Anderson and Poul Anderson. Poul Anderson (1926–2001) was a prolific and versatile figure in American science fiction whose work often combined the pleasures of adventure with a gentle observation of the human condition. This story, released as a free eBook by Project Gutenberg, is short in length, moves briskly, and carries the humor and the interest of an outsider's perspective characteristic of older science fiction. Its appeal lies in the wit of its dialogue and the flexibility of its plot that come from collaboration; it reads lightly and does not require prior knowledge of an extensive setting. It serves as a window onto Anderson's shorter fiction and suits readers who want a complete science fiction story in spare moments. Note that the work is early, and some of its ideas and expressions reflect the limits of its time; today's readers might read it with a critical eye, enjoying its light pleasures rather than expecting modern depth.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy classic science fiction short stories and light reading
Newcomers to Poul Anderson's short fiction wanting a sense of his style
English readers who need short English texts to fill spare moments

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting hard science fiction with technical detail and rigorous worldbuilding
Readers sensitive to period attitudes in early works
Readers who need detailed notes and guidance to read English originals

Reading tips

Read once for the pleasure of the story, then a second time to notice traces of the two authors' collaboration.
Note unfamiliar cultural or period terms and look up background information together after finishing.
Read alongside other Anderson short stories to appreciate the range of his style.
Read it in two or three sittings during spare moments to keep the plot fresh.

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

Was this book written by Poul Anderson alone?

No. The source indicates it was written by Karen Anderson and Poul Anderson, with Poul Anderson listed as the author in the Project Gutenberg entry. While reading, you can watch for the two styles that may show in the dialogue and plot development.

Is the story long or short?

It is a short work in Project Gutenberg's free eBook series. It is not long, suitable for finishing in one or two readings, and convenient to read in segments during spare moments such as a commute.

Can I understand it without a background in science fiction?

You can try. The work is short and accessible, not dependent on an extensive series setting. If you encounter period-related terms, you can supplement with online resources; they should not pose much of an obstacle.

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About the author

Anderson, Poul, 1926-2001 Author

Poul Anderson (1926–2001) was an American writer of science fiction and fantasy whose career spanned the second half of the twentieth century and who produced a substantial body of work. Fourteen of his works are held here, including The Chapter Ends, The Valor of Cappen Varra, The Golden Slave, The Sensitive Man, Sentiment, Inc., Industrial Revolution, Snowball and Inside Earth, covering themes such as space exploration, time travel, historical fantasy and satirical social fables. His writing is notable for solid scientific premises and brisk narrative pacing, combining adventure with speculation; some short stories use future settings to examine human nature and social institutions with a gently ironic tone. Because public information is limited, no conjectures are made here about biographical details or awards; the works at hand show a wide-ranging and versatile writer with a certain influence among readers of English-language genre fiction.