Heel: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Heel: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Heel is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Farmer, Philip José (1918–2009).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Heel" by Philip José Farmer is a science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. The story presents a unique reimagining of the Iliad, blending mythological elements with a futuristic narrative about gods, directors, and a production crew. It explores themes of power dynamics, love, and the manipulation of fate, revolving around the characters from the Trojan War with a modern twist. In "Heel," the narrative unfolds aboard a spaceship where a director, likened to Zeus, orchestrates the great events of the ancient war for the entertainment of a cosmic audience. Achilles and other mythic figures are caught in the machinations of these beings who manipulate their fates for dramatic effect. Thetis, Achilles’ mother, tries to protect her son from the director's plans while her love for him complicates matters. As the story progresses, alliances shift, and the manipulation culminates in tragedy as Achilles faces his fate—betrayed by those who wield ultimate control over the script of their lives. The novella ultimately serves as a satire of storytelling itself, questioning the nature of heroism and the sacrifices made for glory.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Heel
- Author credits: Farmer, Philip José (1918–2009)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
- Motion pictures -- Production and direction -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- Trojan War -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Mythology, Legends & Folklore
- 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.
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