The Barbarians

Algirdas Jonas (Algis) BudrysProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.4

Word count: 54K words
Chapters: 6

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.The Barbarians by Algis BudrysAuthor: Budrys, Algis, 1931-2008,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Jan 2, 2010

Editor's review

The Barbarians is a science fiction short story published by Algis Budrys in the mid-twentieth century. It is brief, yet it poses the boundary between "civilization" and "barbarism" quite sharply. Its real appeal lies not in alien settings or technological spectacle but in using an encounter event to force readers to reconsider: who is entitled to judge another society as backward, and who sets the criteria? The narrative is tightly paced with concentrated conflict, and the ending often leaves room for reflection. As a public-domain ebook, it suits an introduction to science fiction or classroom discussion, especially as an entry point for topics such as cross-cultural understanding and notions of civilizational hierarchy. While reading, note how the author implies a stance through details rather than preaching directly.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy short science fiction and want to finish a complete story in a short time
Students and general readers interested in civilization clash and cultural prejudice
Teachers needing classroom discussion material, which can be built around the definition of "barbarian"

Not a good fit for

Hard science fiction readers who prefer lengthy world-building and complex technological settings
Entertainment-oriented readers expecting fast-paced action or strong suspense

Reading tips

Read through once to grasp the plot, then revisit key dialogue and note the basis for characters' judgments of "barbarism"
After reading, try writing down your own criteria for distinguishing "civilization" from "barbarism" and compare them with the story
If used for discussion, divide into groups representing different positions and debate the misjudgments in the encounter event

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 a novel or a short story?

It is a science fiction short story, relatively short and suitable for finishing in one or two readings without long-term commitment.

Can I read it if my English is not good?

The original is in English, and the language is generally plain but involves dialogue and expressions of stance. Readers with basic English can use a dictionary or a parallel translation, focusing on understanding the characters' judgments rather than reading word by word.

Is it suitable for middle school students?

The subject matter suits middle school students, especially for discussing civilizational prejudice. Note, however, that the original is in English; teachers or parents should provide appropriate guidance according to the student's language level.

Comments

Find this book

This site is an index: you start “Search all sources” in your browser, and the entries it lists all point to third-party sites; please judge their availability yourself.

About the author

Algirdas Jonas (Algis) Budrys Author · American · 1931–2008

Algis Budrys (1931–2008) was a Lithuanian-American science fiction writer, editor and critic, born in Königsberg, East Prussia, who moved with his family to the United States in 1936. His writing is known for its stark, unsentimental style, often using science fiction premises to explore identity and the subtler reaches of human nature. Seven of his works are held in the collection, including Wall of Crystal, Eye of Night, Citadel, Riya's Foundling, The Barbarians, The Rag and Bone Men, The Stoker and the Stars and Desire No More; their themes frequently involve growth and self-discovery, and they are commonly grouped under inspirational growth in Chinese classifications. He received the Science Fiction Research Association's Pilgrim Award in 2007 and is widely recognized as an outstanding science fiction critic. Public information on his life and work is limited, and the present account rests mainly on the works and award information listed above.