Atavism: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Atavism: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Atavism is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Fennel, Erik.
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Atavism" by Erik Fennel is a science fiction novel likely written in the mid-20th century. Set against the backdrop of wartime, the narrative intertwines elements of war and extraterrestrial exploration, exploring themes of evolutionary traits and the concept of atavism, which refers to the reversion to ancestral traits. The book crafts a narrative that reflects on both human and Martian existence, examining survival instincts and emotional responses. The story follows Gunnar and Martha, two survivors dodging enemy forces in a war-torn land, who stumble upon a mysterious Martian entity named Erg, sent to Earth to explore. As Gunnar and Martha grapple with their dire situation, they encounter a massive transformation tied to the effects of alien technology on Erg, leading to a division of his consciousness into conflicting personalities, rooted in primal human emotions. This interplay leads to a tense climax as Gunnar and Martha must not only survive the physical threats of the war but also confront the unseen consequences of their newfound powers while navigating their instinctual responses to fear, trust, and survival. Ultimately, "Atavism" explores the nature of identity and humanity through the lens of extraordinary circumstances, merging science fiction with themes deeply rooted in psychology and the human experience.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Atavism
- Author credits: Fennel, Erik
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
- Martians -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- War stories
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Novels
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
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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.



