Death of a Spaceman: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Death of a Spaceman: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Death of a Spaceman is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Miller, Walter M. (1923–1996).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Death of a Spaceman" by Walter M. Miller Jr. is a poignant short story written in the mid-20th century, reflecting the complexities of mortality and the human experience from the perspective of an aging astronaut facing death. The narrative poignantly explores themes of acceptance, family bonds, and the introspective journey of a man who has lived his life among the stars but is now confined to his hospital bed as his life comes to an end. The story centers around Old Donegal, a retired astronaut, as he confronts his impending death while surrounded by his family, including his wife Martha and his daughter Nora. As he reflects on his life spent exploring space, Donegal grapples with his deteriorating physical condition and the emotional struggles of those who care for him, especially as he learns of his grandson Ken's disinterest in pursuing a similar path in space travel. Interspersed with nostalgic memories, humor, and frank discussions about mortality, the narrative highlights his desire for one last experience of the space he loved, culminating in a symbolic final blast-off that intertwines with the reality of his death, leaving readers to ponder the meaning of life, legacy, and acceptance.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Death of a Spaceman
- Author credits: Miller, Walter M. (1923–1996)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Science fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Category: Short Stories
- 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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