The Derelict by W. J. Matthews
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"The Derelict" by W. J. Matthews is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. Set against the backdrop of Mars, it follows Geoffrey Thorne, a once-esteemed space pilot who has fallen into a life of despair and substance abuse after being marooned on the planet. The narrative explores themes of redemption, the consequences of addiction, and the struggle for self-worth amidst overwhelming odds. The story begins with Thorne in a
dismal state, rescued from the beach by tourists who see him as a derelict. Despite his past glories which include pioneering important space routes, he is now defined by his addiction to the dangerous Martian drug known as t'ang. As he encounters a compassionate woman named Helen Thurland and a Martian friend named Hanu, Thorne is forced to confront his failures and the possibility of change. Ultimately, his journey leads him into the Martian desert where he discovers a long-lost treasure—the valuable Vadirrian oil—which symbolizes hope and renewal, yet his path to redemption is filled with doubt about whether he can truly change and return to the society that cast him aside. The climax reveals not only Thorne's physical struggles but also his quest for inner peace and redemption as he grapples with his identity and potential future. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Matthews, W. J. (William J.) |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Anderson, Murphy, 1926-2015 |
| Title | The Derelict |
| Series Title | Produced from Planet Stories Fall 1946 |
| Credits |
Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 84.8 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Science fiction |
| Subject | Mars (Planet) -- Fiction |
| Subject | Drug addicts -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 63751 |
| ISBN (HTML) | 979-8-238-63751-8 |
| Release Date | Nov 13, 2020 |
| Last Update | Oct 18, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 181 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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