Frigid Fracas

Reynolds, Mack, 1917-1983Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.9

Word count: 225K words
Chapters: 23

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.Frigid Fracas by Mack ReynoldsAuthor: Reynolds, Mack, 1917-1983,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Jan 18, 2010

Editor's review

Mack Reynolds's Frigid Fracas is an English-language science fiction work in the Project Gutenberg collection, classified under American literature. Reynolds was known for his popular science fiction, and this book continues his brisk narrative style and satirical tone, imagining social conflict and institutional absurdity with both entertainment value and a measure of social observation. As a public-domain ebook, it is well suited to casual reading as an entry into the context of mid-twentieth-century science fiction and the rhythm and appeal of the pulp magazines of the era. Readers need not expect the rigorous world-building of hard science fiction; the focus is better placed on its satirical targets and the wit of its dialogue. For genre fans and general English readers, it is an accessible supplementary read of moderate length.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy mid-twentieth-century British and American popular science fiction and want a brisk reading experience
English learners looking to expand their extensive reading with original English texts
Science fiction fans interested in satire and social allegory in the genre
Casual readers who want low-cost access to public-domain science fiction ebooks

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer the rigorous world-building and scientific extrapolation of hard science fiction
Serious literary readers expecting in-depth literary analysis and complex structure
Beginners whose English reading is not yet proficient and who need a Chinese translation

Reading tips

Familiarize yourself with the common conventions of mid-twentieth-century science fiction magazine writing before reading; it makes the appeal easier to grasp.
Focus on the satirical dialogue and depictions of institutions rather than technical details.
Read in sections and note unfamiliar colloquial English expressions to support language learning.
After reading, compare it with science fiction of the same period to appreciate the themes and style of popular science fiction.

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 book hard science fiction or popular science fiction?

It is closer to popular science fiction, with a brisk narrative and a satirical, socially allegorical flavor. Its focus is not rigorous scientific extrapolation, so it is best read casually.

How difficult is the original English?

The writing is generally in the style of popular magazines, with fairly direct sentences, and is suitable for extensive reading by readers with some English foundation. If it proves difficult, build up common colloquial and science fiction vocabulary first.

What are the features of the Project Gutenberg edition?

This edition is a free public-domain ebook that is easy to obtain and carry, with a text focused on readability. It works well as introductory material for getting to know the author and the science fiction of his era.

Comments

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About the author

Reynolds, Mack, 1917-1983 Author

Mack Reynolds (1917–1983) was an American science fiction writer, born Dallas McCord Reynolds. Because public information is limited, no speculation is made here about his early life or education. The collection holds twenty-five of his works, including I’m a Stranger Here Myself, The Common Man, Happy Ending, Dogfight—1973, Black Man’s Burden, Off Course, Summit, and Ultima Thule. These titles suggest that he excelled at short stories and novellas, often addressing social issues, race relations, political conflict, and future warfare. His titles are frequently blunt and ironic, his narratives tight, and he makes effective use of suspense and reversal to discuss real-world problems within the framework of popular science fiction. His work appeared mainly in mid-twentieth-century science fiction magazines and has had some influence on later socially engaged science fiction.