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Classic Literature

Lake of Fire: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

Lake of Fire: 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

Lake of Fire is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Long, Frank Belknap (1903–1994).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"Lake of Fire" by Frank Belknap Long is a science fiction novel written in the early 1950s. The story explores themes of love, identity, and the tension between aspirations and reality, set against the backdrop of a Martian landscape filled with relics of an ancient civilization. It delves into the complexities of an Earth man's obsession with a Martian mirror that captures the image of a long-dead woman, leading to a struggle between emotional attachment and sanity. The plot centers around two main characters, Steve Claymore and his companion Tom Gierson, who discover a Martian hand mirror in the desert. The mirror reflects the image of a beautiful Martian woman named Azala, who captivates Steve and leads him into a dangerous obsession. As Steve becomes increasingly fixated on the image and his belief that she is alive, Tom tries to intervene, understanding the destructive nature of such an infatuation. The story escalates into a confrontation with other treasure-seeking men, showcasing both the peril of Steve's fixation and Tom's determination to protect his friend. Ultimately, the narrative culminates in an unexpected twist when the shattered mirror leads to a genuine connection between Steve and Azala, revealing deeper themes of love transcending time and culture.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: Lake of Fire
  • Author credits: Long, Frank Belknap (1903–1994)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Mars (Planet) -- Fiction
  • Science fiction
  • Short stories

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: Novels
  • 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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