Cry from a Far Planet

Godwin, Tom, 1915-1980Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

3.1

Word count: 29K words
Chapters: 3

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.Cry from a Far Planet by Tom GodwinAuthor: Godwin, Tom, 1915-1980,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Dec 10, 2007

Editor's review

Cry from a Far Planet is a work by American science fiction writer Tom Godwin (1915–1980), released as a public-domain eBook by Project Gutenberg. Godwin is known for his science fiction short stories, which often place characters in extreme situations and moral dilemmas; this piece likewise carries a distinctive speculative edge: the cry from a distant planet drives the plot while also pointing toward questions of human nature, responsibility, and choice. As a public-domain electronic text, its value lies in giving readers low-cost access to the typical style of mid-twentieth-century American science fiction—concise in length, clear in setup, and often ending with a twist or an ethical aftertaste. While reading, pay attention to how the author builds an alien atmosphere within limited space and how technical premises serve character choices; this is helpful for understanding the narrative conventions of early science fiction short stories. Note that the available information does not provide more detailed plot or length details; readers should rely on the actual text and should not assume it is a full-length novel. The English original and period diction may pose a barrier for some readers; it is advisable to sample the opening before deciding how to read it.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy mid-twentieth-century American science fiction short stories
Newcomers who want low-cost access to science fiction classics through public-domain eBooks
Readers interested in ethical dilemmas and human choice in science fiction
Learners who need English science fiction texts for reading practice

Not a good fit for

Readers who only read Chinese translations and do not want to engage with the English original
Science fiction fans expecting hardcore technological world-building and long-form construction
Readers impatient with old-fashioned English expression and narrative pacing

Reading tips

Sample the first few pages to gauge language difficulty before planning the full read
After finishing, revisit key turning points to trace the clues and foreshadowing the author planted
Read alongside contemporaneous American science fiction short stories to compare themes and ending techniques
When using it for English study, focus on the wording of dialogue and scene description

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?

The available information only lists the author, language, and literary category; it does not give a specific length. Given Tom Godwin's characteristic work and what Project Gutenberg typically includes, readers should judge by the actual electronic text and should not assume it is a novel in advance; after opening the text, check the length first and then plan reading time.

What does “a far planet” in the title refer to?

The available information provides no plot details, so the specific setting cannot be confirmed. Judging from the title and the author's science fiction background, it points to a cry or message from an alien environment, but the exact reference must be determined from the main text. As you read, note how the author uses this premise to develop the characters' situation and themes.

Can I read this book if my English is not good?

This book is in the English original, and it dates from an earlier period, so some expressions differ from contemporary English. Readers with weaker English can sample the opening first and use a dictionary or comparison tools to aid understanding; if the reading burden is too great, they may first choose science fiction works with Chinese translations to build experience, then return to the original.

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About the author

Godwin, Tom, 1915-1980 Author

Tom Godwin (1915–1980) was an English-language writer known chiefly for his science fiction short stories and novellas. Public information about him is limited, and details of his life are scarcely recorded. Seven of his works are held in this collection, including Space Prison, The Helpful Hand of God, —And Devious the Line of Duty, The Nothing Equation, Cry from a Far Planet, The Barbarians, and Brain Teaser. Judging from these titles and themes, his writing often revolves around survival in space, moral dilemmas, and human choices under extreme conditions. His plots are tightly paced, and his narratives are frequently driven by stark physical and ethical premises. Works such as Space Prison in particular reflect his interest in isolation and the cost of survival. His short stories are cleanly structured with clear conflicts, and they are representative of mid-twentieth-century science fiction magazine writing, leaving a mark on later hard science fiction and survival-themed fiction.