The Purple Cloud

Matthew Phipps ShielProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.9

Word count: 572K words
Chapters: 58

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 Purple Cloud by M. P. ShielAuthor: Shiel, M. P. (Matthew Phipps), 1865-1947,Language: English, Class: PR: Language and Literatures: English literature, Release Date: Feb 1, 2004

Editor's review

The Purple Cloud is an early science fiction novel by British author M. P. Shiel, published in 1901 and often regarded as one of the forerunners of the apocalyptic disaster genre. The story centers on an Arctic expedition that discovers a mysterious purple cloud; after it sweeps across the globe and all but annihilates humanity, the survivor faces an empty world alone. Its value lies not only in the boldness of its catastrophic imagination but in its questioning of solitude, the collapse of civilization, and human hubris, imbued with fin-de-siècle anxiety and religious reflection. As a public-domain ebook, this edition lets readers enter the text directly at minimal cost. It is worth reading in the context of late nineteenth- to early twentieth-century science fiction and against works by writers such as Wells, where the roughness and ambition of the apocalyptic narrative in its formative stage become visible. It suits readers interested in the history of early science fiction rather than those seeking modern pacing and tightly constructed worldbuilding.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in early science fiction and the origins of the apocalyptic genre
Scholars and students of late nineteenth- to early twentieth-century British popular literature
Readers drawn to atmospheres of solitude and images of civilized ruins
Readers who want low-cost access to classic science fiction through public-domain ebooks

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer tightly constructed, fast-paced modern science fiction
Readers impatient with colonial-era and heavily religious narration
Contemporary readers expecting fully developed female characters

Reading tips

Read the preface or learn about the 1901 publication context before the main text to grasp its period voice.
Read the Arctic expedition sections separately from the post-disaster monologues, noting the differences in pace and perspective.
Read alongside comparable works by Wells to observe the shared traits and divergences of early apocalyptic narrative.
Skim long descriptions at first, keeping to the main thread of the protagonist's psychological shifts and reflections on civilization.

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 a complete novel or an excerpt?

This is a public-domain electronic text provided by Project Gutenberg. It is the complete work in English and can be downloaded and read directly; it does not include a modern publisher's introduction or annotations.

How difficult is the English? Is it suitable for non-native readers?

The text was written in the early twentieth century, with long sentences and period diction; non-native readers need a certain foundation in English reading. A dictionary or bilingual edition is recommended, starting with the main plot.

How does it differ from modern apocalyptic fiction?

It emphasizes atmosphere, monologue, and reflection on civilization, with relatively sketchy scientific worldbuilding and a slower pace. Its pronounced religious and fin-de-siècle anxiety sets it apart from the tight structure of modern genre fiction.

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About the author

Matthew Phipps Shiel Author · British · 1865–1947

M. P. Shiel (Matthew Phipps Shiel, 1865–1947) was a British writer born on the Caribbean island of Montserrat, known for his supernatural horror fiction and scientific romances. His best-known work, The Purple Cloud (1901), depicts a disaster sweeping the world; he also wrote Prince Zaleski (1895), The Lord of the Sea and The Last Miracle, and four of his works are held in this collection. His writing often blends bizarre imagination, an atmosphere of mystery and apocalyptic visions, and he is regarded as one of the representatives of British Decadent literature, exerting a lasting influence on later science fiction and horror writing. Public information on the details of his life is limited, so this note focuses on his themes and literary standing.