Pastoral Affair by Charles A. Stearns

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About this eBook

Author Stearns, Charles A.
Illustrator Francis, Dick
Title Pastoral Affair
Note Reading ease score: 82.2 (6th grade). Easy to read.
Credits Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Summary "Pastoral Affair" by Charles A. Stearns is a science fiction novella written in the late 1950s. The story unfolds on a remote island and revolves around Colonel Glinka's pursuit of Dr. Stefanik, a disgraced geneticist who has abandoned his work and settled into a peaceful life. The narrative explores themes of human aspirations, genetic manipulation, and social dynamics amidst a backdrop of comedic absurdity and philosophical musings. The plot kicks off as Colonel Glinka, armed with a Malacca cane that doubles as a firearm, lands on the island seeking out his former colleague, Dr. Stefanik, whom he believes holds the key to a profound scientific breakthrough related to human development. His journey is punctuated by humorous interactions with Abdul Hakkim ben Salazar, a local who serves as Glinka’s reluctant guide. As Glinka confronts Stefanik, he learns about the latter’s disdain for his former life and refusal to experiment on human beings, despite pressures from the colonel. The narrative takes a comedic turn as Glinka becomes increasingly paranoid about the locals and their mysterious origins, leading to a chaotic climax where he realizes that his imposing presence has stirred a wild curiosity among the island’s inhabitants. The concluding moments highlight a philosophical reflection on the nature of humanity, ownership, and curiosity, wrapped in a light-hearted tone as the characters navigate the absurdity of their circumstances. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
Subject Science fiction
Subject Short stories
Category Text
EBook-No. 32303
Release Date
Most Recently Updated Jan 6, 2021
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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