A World by the Tale

Garrett, Randall, 1927-1987Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.8

Word count: 49K words
Chapters: 5

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.A World by the Tale by Randall GarrettAuthor: Garrett, Randall, 1927-1987,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Dec 31, 2009

Editor's review

Randall Garrett was one of the representative authors of twentieth-century American science fiction and fantasy magazine fiction, and "A World by the Tale" exemplifies the ingenious short-story mode he excelled at: using the premise or the narration itself as the driving force, achieving twist and interest within a limited length. The work is a public-domain electronic text under the American literature classification; it is short and serves as a good sample for understanding the magazine science fiction style of the Golden Age. When reading, note how the narrative layers and the core idea of "a world within the tale" are unfolded, and how the author wraps speculation in dialogue and a light tone. It is better suited as interest reading in genre fiction or as material for short-story analysis than as a substitute for a lengthy novel with a heavy worldbuilding; the electronic edition is convenient for quick reading and excerpting.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who want to know about twentieth-century American magazine science fiction short stories
Genre fiction fans who like ingenious premises and narrative twists
People who need an English short story for reading practice or classroom discussion
Electronic readers interested in public-domain science fiction texts

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting lengthy worldbuilding and complex character arcs
Readers who prefer serious literature or contemporary hard science fiction
People who struggle with English reading and are unwilling to use辅助 tools

Reading tips

First read it through in one sitting, grasp the core idea, then go back to the setup and foreshadowing.
On the second pass, note the layers of narrator and dialogue, and analyze how the twist works.
Compare it with other Golden Age magazine short stories to observe genre conventions.
After reading, summarize the premise in a few sentences to check whether you understood the key mechanism.

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

What type and length is this work?

It is a short story by the American science fiction author Randall Garrett, an ingenious story in the magazine science fiction tradition; it is short and can be read in one sitting. Please experience the specific plot and premise through reading; it is best not approached with the expectation of a lengthy epic.

Can I read it without knowing the author?

Yes. This work does not depend on prior series context and can be read independently. For deeper understanding, you can learn about the publishing background of twentieth-century American science fiction magazines and Garrett's often humorous, premise-driven short stories, which will help you appreciate the text.

What is the electronic edition suitable for?

This text comes from Project Gutenberg's public-domain collection and is suitable for reading through, excerpting, and classroom discussion. Since it usually has no modern annotations, if used for research, it is advisable to verify publication information yourself and supplement background material on the author and the magazines.

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About the author

Garrett, Randall, 1927-1987 Author

Randall Garrett (1927-1987) was an American science fiction writer active in the mid-twentieth century. Public information about his life is limited, and details such as his exact birth and death dates and nationality still require further verification. The library holds 43 of his works, including The Highest Treason, Dead Giveaway, The Foreign Hand Tie, Thin Edge, The Asses of Balaam, Anything You Can Do!, That Sweet Little Old Lady, and The Bramble Bush. Judging from these titles, his output consists mainly of short stories and novellas, often built around tricks, misunderstandings, and reversals. He was skilled at creating suspense within a limited space, advancing plots through witty dialogue and a brisk pace, and frequently ending with an unexpected twist. His titles often carry a playful, ironic tone, showing a confident command of science fiction conventions and a humorous attitude toward them. Although public information is limited, these works remain useful samples for studying mid-twentieth-century English-language science fiction short fiction.