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By Earthlight: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

By Earthlight: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

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AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

By Earthlight is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Walton, Bryce (1918–1988).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"By Earthlight" by Bryce Walton is a science fiction novel written during the early 1950s. The story revolves around Hal Barlow, an individual tasked with a one-way mission to the moon under the guise of being the first man in space. This narrative reflects themes of existentialism, identity, and the human psyche in a world nearing catastrophe due to the threat of atomic warfare. The plot follows Barlow as he grapples with his fear of isolation and the weight of his impending sacrifice for the Brotherhood, a philosophical organization intending to provoke a peaceful revolution in the face of impending global conflict. As Barlow experiences the intense mental and physical pressures of his journey, he is encased in a heavy space suit and confronted with the vast emptiness of the lunar landscape. His mission becomes a desperate struggle for meaning and connection, leading him to reconsider the values of his past and the nature of humanity. The climax reveals the Brotherhood's hidden agenda and Barlow's ultimate realization of unity among humanity, as he longs for a connection while confronting the loneliness of death in an alien world.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: By Earthlight
  • Author credits: Walton, Bryce (1918–1988)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Science fiction
  • Short stories
  • Space flight to the moon -- Fiction

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: Novels
  • Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
  • Science Fiction

Read this edition

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.

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