Deserted

Edward BellamyProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.6

Word count: 36K words
Chapters: 4

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.Deserted by Edward BellamyAuthor: Bellamy, Edward, 1850-1898,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Sep 21, 2007

Editor's review

Also by Edward Bellamy, Deserted is released as a free English ebook by Project Gutenberg. Bellamy's work often moves between social concern and narrative imagination, and this short story is well suited to observing how he handles the psychology and choices of characters placed in isolation. Unlike a full-length novel, it does not demand sustained investment of time; readers can finish it in a single sitting and thereby experience the narrative rhythm and verbal texture of late nineteenth-century American short fiction. As a public-domain electronic text, it is easily accessible and serves as a useful supplementary read within Bellamy's body of work, as well as a companion to a similar short story such as Lost, allowing comparison of the author's choice of material and method within a comparable length. While reading, one might attend to how the situation suggested by the title unfolds step by step, and whether the ending leaves a lingering resonance worth pondering.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers interested in Edward Bellamy's short fiction
Those seeking an introduction to late nineteenth-century American literature through a short story
Readers who read English extensively and prefer public-domain electronic texts
Those who like to finish a complete story in a short time

Not a good fit for

Readers hoping for Bellamy's social-utopian novels
Beginners who need a Chinese translation or line-by-line annotations
Readers looking for suspense, twists, or strong dramatic conflict

Reading tips

Read through once without letting the title set your expectations, then consider what "deserted" specifically means in the story.
Read alongside Lost and compare Bellamy's choice of material and narrative method in his short fiction.
While reading in English, note the key sentences that mark changes in the characters' situation and revisit them after finishing.
If using the story in a class or reading group, prepare discussion questions around the openness of the ending.

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 kind of story is Deserted?

The available information shows only that it is a short story in English by Bellamy and provides no plot summary. The title suggests a possible theme of abandonment or isolation, but the specific content must be confirmed by reading the original; readers should not impose a fixed generic expectation in advance.

Is this book part of the same series as Lost?

The two share an author and are both released by Project Gutenberg, but the available information does not show that they belong to the same series or are connected in plot. They may be regarded as two of Bellamy's short stories, suitable for comparative reading rather than continuous reading.

Does the electronic edition include annotations?

Public-domain electronic texts from Project Gutenberg are usually primarily the original text, and the available information does not state that Deserted includes annotations or an introduction. Readers who need background explanation may consult materials on Bellamy's life and late nineteenth-century American literature on their own.

Do I need to know Bellamy first to read this?

Not necessarily. A short story can usually be read independently, but knowing that Bellamy often wrote with an eye to social issues can help in appreciating the situations set up in the text. If time is limited, reading the original directly still offers a complete reading experience.

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About the author

Edward Bellamy Author · American · 1850–1898

Edward Bellamy (1850–1898) was an American novelist and journalist, best known for his utopian novel Looking Backward: 2000–1887. The book imagines a future society based on nationalization and cooperation; it became a bestseller of its time and gave rise to the Nationalist Club movement, influencing social reform debates. His other works include Equality, Dr. Heidenhoff's Process, Miss Ludington's Sister, and The Blindman's World. Twenty-two of his works are held in the collection. His writing often centers on social ideals, future visions, and human nature, combining narrative drive with speculative reflection. Public information on the details of his life is limited, so this introduction focuses on the themes and influence of his works.