The Wedge

Fyfe, H. B. (Horace Bowne), 1918-1997Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.8

Word count: 12K words
Chapters: 2

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 Wedge by H. B. FyfeAuthor: Fyfe, H. B. (Horace Bowne), 1918-1997,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Mar 31, 2010

Editor's review

H. B. Fyfe's "The Wedge" is a typical mid-length short science fiction work from the era when American science fiction magazines flourished in the mid-twentieth century. Such works usually take a core premise or technological idea as their fulcrum, rapidly developing conflict and reversal within a limited length, with tight pacing and concept first. This book is suitable as an introductory sample for understanding the style of science fiction short story writing after the Golden Age: the author does not lay out an elaborate grand worldview, but instead deduces the consequences around one specific idea, making for a crisp and brisk read. For readers familiar with the science fiction conventions of that period, its technological imagination and the way characters react will offer a recognizable period charm; for first-time readers, it allows them to experience the narrative logic of science fiction of that era at a low time cost. It should be noted that short science fiction emphasizes premise over character; if you expect deep character portrayal, the reading experience may fall short of expectations. Overall, it is a public-domain science fiction short suitable for reading in fragmented time.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in mid-twentieth-century American science fiction short stories
Beginning readers who want to understand classic science fiction premise writing in a relatively short time
Genre fiction fans who enjoy conceptual deduction and briskly paced narrative

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer long-form worldview construction and nuanced character arcs
Readers sensitive to the technological ideas and gender depictions of early science fiction

Reading tips

First read it in one sitting to feel how the premise unfolds, then go back and sort out the key turning points.
After reading, compare it with other science fiction short stories from the same period to compare how similar technological ideas are handled.
Do not worry too much about scientific rigor; focus on how the author uses the premise to drive conflict.

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 work a novel or a short story?

Judging from the background of the author Fyfe's activity in science fiction magazines and the length of this book, it is a mid-length or short science fiction work, suitable for finishing in one or two reading sessions. The limited length means the plot is concentrated, and readers do not need to set aside time for a long novel.

Can I understand it without a science fiction reading background?

Yes. This kind of short story usually unfolds around a single core premise and does not rely on extensive prior knowledge. Readers only need to follow the narrative to understand the changes brought by the premise, which actually makes it a lightweight entry point for encountering early science fiction.

Why is it said to have a clear sense of period?

The work emerged from the American science fiction context of the mid-twentieth century, and its technological imagination, division of roles among characters, and narrative pacing all reflect the creative habits of the time. This sense of period is both part of the reading pleasure and a reminder for readers to view its premises and expressions with a historical perspective.

Comments

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About the author

Fyfe, H. B. (Horace Bowne), 1918-1997 Author

H. B. Fyfe (Horace Bowne Fyfe, 1918–1997) is an English-language author with sixteen works held in the collection, though little is publicly known about his life or nationality. Judging from the listed titles, his writing centres on science fiction and speculative fiction, dealing with alien envoys, satellite systems, war and peace, deadly weapons, and the end of the world; titles such as The Envoy, Her, Satellite System, The Outbreak of Peace, Irresistible Weapon, and This World Must Die! suggest a preference for concise, forceful short stories that explore technology, conflict, and human destiny. The works often carry the tension and speculative flavour of Cold War-era science fiction, with tight plotting and endings that frequently turn on irony or warning. Fyfe is not a widely celebrated classic author, but his productivity and breadth of subject matter are noteworthy.