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Genesis!: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

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

Published by Pop Culture Files••2 min read•Automatically generated · review not guaranteed
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

Genesis! is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Winterbotham, R. R. (Russell Robert) (1904–1971).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"Genesis!" by R. R. Winterbotham is a science fiction novella written during the early 1940s, appearing originally in "Planet Stories" in the summer of 1941. The story presents a speculative exploration of the nature of life and evolution, set against the backdrop of space travel and extraterrestrial fantasy. The narrative focuses on the character of Harry Renzu, a scientist determined to create a new form of life on Venus, delving into themes of domination, gratitude, and the ethics of scientific experimentation. The plot follows Captain Vic Arlen and his crew, including the enigmatic Venusian Gheal, as they embark on an expedition to Venus with Renzu, who seeks to mold life from the planet's protoplasm. Conflict arises between Renzu's cruel treatment of Gheal and Arlen's efforts to treat him humanely. The discovery of a brutal scheme by Renzu—to use the bones of his crew members to perfect his protoplasmic creations—leads to a violent confrontation between the scientist and his own monstrous creations. As Arlen and engineer McFerson navigate this alien world, they grapple with the consequences of playing god, successfully escaping Renzu's insanity thanks to Gheal's unexpected loyalty. The story ultimately challenges the notion of what it means to be truly alive and the moral implications of scientific ambition.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: Genesis!
  • Author credits: Winterbotham, R. R. (Russell Robert) (1904–1971)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Science fiction
  • Scientists -- Fiction
  • Short stories
  • Space flight -- Fiction
  • Venus (Planet) -- Fiction

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy

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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