Moral Equivalent

Kris NevilleProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.0

Word count: 46K 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.Moral Equivalent by Kris NevilleAuthor: Neville, Kris, 1925-1980,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Mar 14, 2016

Editor's review

Moral Equivalent is an English-language science fiction short story by Kris Neville (1925–1980), released free by Project Gutenberg. Neville was active in mid-twentieth-century American science fiction magazine circles, and his work often explores conflicts between ideas and behavior through spare storytelling. The title points to the intriguing proposition of a "moral equivalent," making the book well suited to close reading by readers interested in science fiction thought experiments. It is short and easy to finish in a single reading, and also works as discussion material for book clubs, centering on the relationship between "equivalent" and "moral." As a public-domain e-book, it is easy to obtain and can be opened at any time on a phone or e-reader. Note that the available information provides no plot details; readers should approach the text inquisitively, attending to how the author uses a science fiction setup to carry conceptual exploration rather than expecting grand spectacle.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in science fiction thought experiments and fiction of ideas
Book club members who like short stories they can finish and discuss in one sitting
Enthusiasts studying mid-twentieth-century American science fiction magazine writing
Readers with basic English reading ability who want to try original short stories

Not a good fit for

Science fiction readers who prefer long-form adventure and strongly plot-driven work
Readers who need a Chinese translation to read comfortably
Readers who expect detailed background setup and world-building explanations

Reading tips

Before reading, think about what "moral equivalent" might mean, and enter the text with that question in mind.
Read it in one sitting, note your first impressions immediately afterward, then go back and check key passages.
Exchange interpretations with friends or book club members and discuss how the title echoes the plot.
If reading stalls, skip unfamiliar words to grasp the gist first, and deal with language details on a second pass.

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 there a Chinese edition of this book?

According to the available information, the book was released by Project Gutenberg in the original English, with no indication of an official Chinese translation. Readers need some English reading ability or the help of translation tools.

About how long is the story?

The information does not give a word count, but judging from its position as a science fiction magazine short story, it is a length that can be read in one sitting. It is advisable to set aside half an hour to an hour of uninterrupted reading time.

Do I need to know the history of science fiction before reading?

Not strictly. Some familiarity with mid-twentieth-century American science fiction magazines helps, but the book can be read on its own. If you are interested afterward, you can fill in background on the author and science fiction writing of the period.

Why is this book recommended for book club discussion?

Because the title itself carries a conceptual proposition, and the short form makes it easy for members to read in the same session; understandings of "moral equivalent" are likely to differ and spark exchange, making it a good starting point for discussion.

Comments

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About the author

Kris Neville Author · American · 1925–1980

Kris Neville (1925–1980) was an American science fiction writer born in Missouri. He began publishing in 1949, and his career spanned several decades. Nine of his works are held in this collection, including General Max Shorter, Voyage to Far N'jurd, New Apples in the Garden, Hunt the Hunter, Shamar's War, Earth Alert!, Fresh Air Fiend, and Moral Equivalent; their subjects often involve space travel, alien-world adventure, and visions of future societies. His early work Bettyann is often regarded as a science fiction classic. Beyond fiction, he long worked as a technical writer on plastics and co-authored a book on epoxy resins. He died in Los Angeles in 1980. Public information about his life and literary career is limited, and researchers tend to approach him through the themes and style of his works.