The Leech

Robert SheckleyProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.7

Word count: 34K words
Chapters: 4

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 Leech by Robert SheckleyAuthor: Sheckley, Robert, 1928-2005,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Jul 27, 2009

Editor's review

Robert Sheckley's short story "The Leech" is a typical science fiction tale driven by its premise and capped with a twist ending. Sheckley excels at taking an ordinary or absurd premise to its extreme through crisp, clean narration, leaving readers—in a light, even darkly humorous tone—suddenly facing an unsettling question. The piece is short and tightly paced; its highlights lie in the freshness of its concept and the surprise of its resolution, making it ideal for reading in one sitting during spare moments. It wins not through an elaborate world or complex characters but through ingenuity and irony, prompting readers to pause and reflect on the logic and meaning behind the story. For readers curious about the style of mid-twentieth-century English-language short science fiction, this is a light yet representative sample; it also serves as a model for aspiring science fiction writers studying short-story structure and twist techniques.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy short science fiction with twist endings
Readers who want to finish a complete story in fragmented time
Writing enthusiasts studying the structure and narrative techniques of short science fiction
Readers interested in the style of mid-twentieth-century English-language science fiction

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer lengthy works with complex worlds and character arcs
Readers expecting hard science details and rigorous technical worldbuilding
Readers who dislike absurd premises or darkly humorous styles

Reading tips

Try to read it in one sitting and avoid peeking at the ending in advance, to preserve the experience of the twist.
After finishing, revisit the opening paragraphs to notice the foreshadowing and tonal hints the author planted.
Read it alongside other Sheckley short stories to observe his recurring approaches to premise and resolution.
If using it for writing study, try summarizing the three elements of premise, conflict, and turn after reading.

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

How long is this story, and how long does it take to read?

This is a short science fiction story of modest length, usually readable within a single commute or lunch break. Set aside twenty to thirty uninterrupted minutes and read straight through to the end to fully experience the story's pacing and twist.

Is the story hard science fiction or more absurd satire?

Judging from Sheckley's characteristic style and this story's premise, it is closer to soft science fiction driven by concept and irony than to hard science fiction emphasizing technical detail. Readers need not expect rigorous scientific extrapolation; it is better approached with an appreciation for ingenuity and dark humor.

Do I need to know the author's other works before reading?

No. This is a standalone short story that is self-contained and can be understood on its own. If the author's style interests you afterward, seeking out his other short-story collections for comparison will make it easier to recognize his habitual approaches to premise and endings.

Comments

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About the author

Robert Sheckley Author · United States · 1928–2005

Robert Sheckley (1928–2005) was an American science fiction writer. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1928, he served with the U.S. military in Korea and later graduated from New York University. He published his first story in 1952 and became known for witty, absurd, and satirical short stories and novels. His work often explores civilization, desire, and the dilemmas brought by technology in an ironic tone, with ingenious plots and often surprising endings. His representative works include Warm, Watchbird, The Status Civilization, Keep Your Shape, Ask a Foolish Question, Cost of Living, Death Wish, and Forever. The library holds 18 of his works. He received the Nebula Award Grand Master title in 2000 and died in 2005. Public information is limited, but his distinctive humor and satire have earned wide attention in the science fiction field.