Tedric

Edward Elmer SmithProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.1

Word count: 44K 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.Tedric by E. E. SmithAuthor: Smith, E. E. (Edward Elmer), 1890-1965,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Aug 8, 2015

Editor's review

Tedric is a short science fiction work by E. E. Smith, the "father of space opera," made available as a free eBook by Project Gutenberg. Smith is known for grand cosmic scale and clean, brisk adventure narrative; this piece centers on its protagonist Tedric, is not long, and moves at a lively pace, making it a good introduction to early science fiction style and Smith's creative interests. The electronic edition is easy to search, copy, and carry, allowing readers to complete a full short science fiction journey during a commute or lunch break. Its value lies not in complex conceptual experimentation but in presenting the direct, optimistic, action-driven narrative appeal of the science fiction magazine era in the first half of the twentieth century; it is also of reference value to those studying the origins of genre literature.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who want to finish a complete short science fiction piece in fragmented time
Readers interested in early space opera and the origins of genre literature
Learners needing a free English eBook as extensive English reading material

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting lengthy, complex worldbuilding and deep character development
Readers not used to reading English originals and needing a Chinese translation
Those not interested in the direct, brisk narrative style of early science fiction

Reading tips

Read through once to grasp the plot, then on a second pass note how Smith handles cosmic scenes and action rhythm.
Read alongside background material on the early science fiction magazine era to understand the genre tradition the work belongs to.
When using it as extensive English reading material, guess unfamiliar words from context first and look them up after finishing the piece.

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 long or short?

The materials indicate it is a single work of no great length, suitable for reading in one sitting or over two or three sessions; do not plan your time as you would for a full-length novel.

Do I need to read other works by Smith first?

No. This piece can be read independently and does not depend on prior events from other works; if you become interested in Smith afterward, you can go on to read his other writings.

What devices is the electronic edition suitable for?

The electronic text provided by Project Gutenberg is suitable for reading on phones, tablets, or computers and is easy to copy and search; choose devices according to your own habits.

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About the author

Edward Elmer Smith Author · American · 1890–1965

Edward Elmer Smith (1890–1965), known as "Doc Smith," was an American science fiction writer and is regarded as one of the pioneers of space opera. Trained as a chemist with a doctorate, he long worked in food technology and wrote science fiction in his spare time; twelve of his works are included in this collection. His best-known series, the Skylark series (such as The Skylark of Space and Skylark Three) and the Lensman series (such as Triplanetary and First Lensman), are famed for interstellar travel, faster-than-light ships, and grand galactic warfare, with sweeping scenes and brisk pacing that deeply influenced later space opera. His works focus on space adventure and galactic conflict; although public biographical detail is limited, their pioneering place in the history of the genre is widely recognized.