The Syndic

Cyril M. KornbluthProject Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

4.0

Word count: 284K words
Chapters: 29

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 Syndic by C. M. KornbluthAuthor: Kornbluth, C. M. (Cyril M.), 1923-1958,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Dec 27, 2012

Editor's review

The Syndic is a full-length work by science fiction writer Cyril M. Kornbluth, belonging to the mid-twentieth-century American science fiction tradition of dystopian and political allegory. The story revolves around an organized crime syndicate known as the Syndic that controls the social order, exploring the tension between power, institutions, and individual choice. Kornbluth's narrative is brisk, making good use of irony and black humor to discuss the paradoxes of governance and freedom within the framework of genre fiction; it is an entry point for understanding the diverse face of Golden Age science fiction. This is a free electronic edition from Project Gutenberg, in the original English, suitable as material for themed science fiction reading or reading in the original English. While reading, note how the author handles institutions and human nature, as well as the social allegory behind the genre narrative.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy mid-twentieth-century American science fiction
Those interested in dystopian and political allegory themes
Readers who wish to expand their English reading with free public-domain ebooks
Enthusiasts studying Golden Age science fiction and social allegory

Not a good fit for

Readers who prefer contemporary hard science fiction or technical detail
Beginner readers unaccustomed to reading in the original English
Those expecting fast-paced action adventure

Reading tips

Read through the whole book first to grasp the workings of Syndic society, then return to key chapters for close reading.
Record the author's allegory about institutions and power while reading, to help sort out the themes afterward.
Read alongside American science fiction short stories from the same period to appreciate the commonalities and differences of genre writing.
When encountering unfamiliar words in the original English, first infer from context to avoid breaking the rhythm by looking up words.

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 in English or Chinese?

This is an electronic edition of the original English work released by Project Gutenberg; the text is in English, with no Chinese translation included. It suits readers with some English reading ability who wish to engage directly with the original.

Do I need to know the author's other works before reading?

No. The book can be read independently and does not rely on prior knowledge of the author's other works. If you become interested in Kornbluth's style after reading, you can then expand to his short stories.

Is this book suitable as an introduction to science fiction?

It can serve as supplementary reading for understanding the diverse face of Golden Age science fiction, but it is not the most typical introductory choice. If you are a beginner in English reading, it is advisable to start with shorter works in plainer language before trying this one.

What should I keep in mind when reading the electronic edition?

This is a free public-domain ebook. It is recommended to use reading software that supports font adjustment, proceed chapter by chapter, and set bookmarks. Since it is in the original English, have a dictionary tool on hand, but avoid looking up words too frequently so as not to hinder overall comprehension.

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About the author

Cyril M. Kornbluth Author · American · 1923–1958

Cyril M. Kornbluth (1923–1958) was an American science fiction writer. Born in New York City, he died of a heart attack in New York State in 1958. As a teenager he joined the Futurians, a science fiction group, and was closely associated with Frederik Pohl, Isaac Asimov, and others; he is regarded as one of the representative authors of the Golden Age of science fiction. Kornbluth was known for social satire, often using absurd situations and a cool, unsentimental tone to expose the flaws of consumer society, crowd psychology, and human nature. His stories are short and sharp, leaving a complex aftertaste. The library holds six of his works, including The Marching Morons, The Syndic, With These Hands, The Luckiest Man in Denv, The Altar at Midnight, and The Adventurer, as well as The Space Merchants, co-written with Pohl. His satirical science fiction has had a lasting influence on later writers.