Where I Wasn't Going

Richmond, Walt, 1922-1977Project Gutenberg · United StatesDec 2019

2.7

Word count: 247K words
Chapters: 25

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.Where I Wasn't Going by Leigh Richmond and Walt RichmondAuthor: Richmond, Walt, 1922-1977,Language: English, Class: PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature, Release Date: Jan 29, 2010

Editor's review

Co-authored by Leigh Richmond and Walt Richmond, this short work belongs to the American and Canadian literature category and carries a distinct genre-fiction appeal. Judging from the available material, it is best read as a short narrative with elements of suspense and imagination: the title itself hints at the ironic and unknown theme of “the place I did not go,” and readers can expect a light but twisty reading experience within a limited length. Its value lies in showcasing the narrative rhythm and language style of mid-twentieth-century English popular science fiction shorts, making it a useful reference for those studying genre literature of that period or practicing speed reading in English. Given the limited information, one should not expect too much of plot or intellectual depth; it is better suited to a short read on a commute or before sleep. While reading, pay attention to shifts in narrative perspective and how the ending is handled, as these are often where the pleasure of such short pieces lies.

Who it's for

A good fit for

Readers who enjoy English short genre fiction and prefer light reading
Literature enthusiasts studying mid-twentieth-century popular science fiction narrative
Learners who need short English texts to practice speed reading
Readers who want a complete short story for a commute or before sleep

Not a good fit for

Readers expecting an epic world-building and a complex cast of characters
Readers who prefer serious literature or in-depth exploration of social issues
Readers uninterested in the narrative conventions of English genre fiction

Reading tips

Read it in one sitting to sustain the sense of suspense and avoid long interruptions.
After finishing, revisit the opening to appreciate the echo and irony between the title and the ending.
As speed-reading material in English, read through once for gist, then go back for key words on the second pass.
Compare it with other English short stories of the same period to observe common techniques of genre narrative.

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 a novel or a short story?

Judging from the available material, it is a genre narrative of modest length and is better read as a short story. Reading it in one sitting is recommended to preserve suspense; there is no need to plan for it at the pace of a novel. For English study, read it in two passes: first for plot, then revisit language and structure.

What does the title mean?

The title carries a sense of irony and the unknown, hinting at the theme of “the place I did not go.” Its specific meaning must be understood in light of the plot; the available material provides no plot details, so it is unwise to assert its reference in advance. While reading, note the gap between the narrator and what actually happens—the title's interest often emerges at the end.

Is it suitable for learning English?

It can serve as short English speed-reading material: limited in length and complete in narrative, easy to finish in one sitting. Read through the first pass for the gist and plot direction; handle unfamiliar words and long sentences on the second pass. If your English is weak, learn the general content first before reading the original, so that frequent dictionary lookups do not break your reading rhythm.

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About the author

Richmond, Walt, 1922-1977 Author · 1922–1977

Walt Richmond (1922–1977) was an English-language author about whom public information is limited; details of his life are scarcely recorded in existing bibliographic sources, and facts such as his nationality and exact dates remain largely unknown. What can be confirmed is that two works are attributed to him, namely Poppa Needs Shorts and Where I Wasn't Going. Judging from the titles and entries, his writing may touch on themes such as family life and personal travel, and his tone may lean toward light, plain narration, though his specific style and influence are difficult to discuss in detail for lack of material. For an author with so few works and little posthumous reputation, readers seeking further understanding can rely only on the limited publishing clues available. This introduction is based solely on verifiable facts in the library records; speculative points are noted as such, and no fictional biographical details have been added.