The Missing Link

Edward George DysonProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.2

Word count: 241K words
Chapters: 25

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 Missing Link by Edward DysonAuthor: Dyson, Edward, 1865-1931,Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Nov 22, 2005

Editor's review

The Missing Link is a short work by Australian author Edward Dyson, available as a public-domain eBook from Project Gutenberg. Dyson was known for writing about everyday urban life with humor, and this piece revolves around the so-called "missing link," carrying the light touch and grotesque humor characteristic of colonial-era Australian literature. It is short and serves as a sample of English-language short fiction from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century. When reading, pay attention to the narrator's sense of humor and character portrayal, and appreciate the entertainment value of periodical literature aimed at a broad readership. Since the available information only indicates it belongs to English literature and provides no further plot details, readers should approach the text with an open mind, treating it as a quick, period-marked short story rather than a weighty classic.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who want a quick introduction to early Australian short fiction
English learners who enjoy humor, satire, and everyday-life subjects
Editors and researchers collecting public-domain English short stories

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting long, deeply developed plots
Beginners unfamiliar with nineteenth-century English expression
Researchers needing detailed author background information

Reading tips

Read through once to grasp the story's direction, then revisit the humorous and satirical details
Use background material on colonial Australian society to understand the characters' circumstances
As English short-story reading material, note unfamiliar expressions and period language
After reading, compare with other Dyson stories to observe his narrative style

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 work?

The available information does not specify a word count, but judging by the nature of short works included in Project Gutenberg, it can be read in one or two sittings. It is advisable to read through the full text first, then decide based on interest whether to read closely.

Do I need to know Australian history?

It helps. Dyson's works often draw on the everyday life and colonial society of his time; understanding the social atmosphere of late nineteenth-century Australia can better illuminate the characters and the nuanced humor.

Is it suitable for English learners?

It suits intermediate to advanced English learners as extensive reading material, but the text contains period language and colloquial expressions that may require support for beginners. It is advisable to grasp the plot first, then tackle the language difficulties.

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About the author

Edward George Dyson Author · Australian · 1865–1931

Edward George Dyson (1865–1931) was an Australian poet and short-story writer. Born near Ballarat, Victoria, and died in Melbourne, he was closely connected throughout his life with the society of Australia's gold-mining districts. His works mostly take as their subject the lives of miners in the goldfields and factory laborers, focusing on the circumstances and fate of ordinary working people. His representative works include the short-story collections The Gold-Stealers (1901) and In the Roaring Fifties (1906), as well as The Missing Link and the poetry collection 'Hello, Soldier!'. Dyson holds a certain place in Australian national literature, and his works record, in a realistic style, the social landscape of the gold-rush era and early industrialization. Public information on the specific details of his life and writing is limited; four of his works are held in this collection.