Chain Reaction: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Chain Reaction: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Chain Reaction is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Ellanby, Boyd.
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Chain Reaction" by Boyd Ellanby is a science fiction novella first published in the mid-20th century, specifically in the 1950s. The story revolves around a group of university professors who gather at a sanitarium to visit a colleague, Dr. Rothman, who has been committed after raising alarms about a potential catastrophic chain reaction due to a nuclear test. The narrative explores themes of mental health, scientific ethics, and the consequences of unchecked scientific experimentation. As the plot unfolds, the professors engage in a tense poker game that serves as a backdrop for their discussions about the impending test, which Rothman believes could lead to global annihilation. The story captures the internal struggles and dynamics between the characters, especially as they grapple with doubt and fear surrounding Rothman's calculations. With the clock ticking down to zero hour, the professors' various reactions to the potential end of the world reveal their true character and the weight of their scientific responsibilities. Ultimately, when the test concludes without disaster, Rothman's grip on reality is called into question, leaving the reader to ponder the thin line between genius and madness.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Chain Reaction
- Author credits: Ellanby, Boyd
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Science fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Novels
- 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.
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