A Bottle of Old Wine: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
A Bottle of Old Wine: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

A Bottle of Old Wine is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Lewis, Richard O..
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"A Bottle of Old Wine" by Richard O. Lewis is a science fiction story written in the early 1950s. The narrative delves into themes of escapism, personal dissatisfaction, and the darker aspects of human desire in a futuristic setting where technology allows individuals to separate their physical bodies from their consciousness. The plot revolves around Herbert Hyrel, a man who feels trapped in his mundane life and desires to escape—ultimately culminating in a grim contemplation of murder for financial gain and personal liberation. The story follows Herbert Hyrel as he grapples with deep resentment towards his wife, who financially controls him. The narrative explores his secret use of a telporter suit, which enables him to liberate his consciousness and indulge in a hedonistic lifestyle at an exclusive club catering to escapists. However, his desperation leads him to contemplate killing his wife in order to seize her wealth. As he attempts to embrace his newfound freedom with a woman he desires, he is ultimately betrayed, leading to a shocking and tragic conclusion that highlights the perils of escapism and the consequences of unbridled ambition. The story combines elements of psychological tension with a critique of social dynamics in a speculative future.
Book and edition facts
- Title: A Bottle of Old Wine
- Author credits: Lewis, Richard O.
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Science fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Crime, Thrillers and Mystery
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Science Fiction
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View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.



