On the Fourth Planet: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
On the Fourth Planet: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
On the Fourth Planet is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Bone, Jesse F. (Jesse Franklin) (1916–2006).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"On the Fourth Planet" by J. F. Bone is a science fiction novella written during the early 1960s. The story revolves around the character Ul Kworn, a member of a dwindling alien race, facing a significant obstacle in his path—a mysterious metal structure that blocks his access to food, ultimately representing a barrier to survival and progress for his species. The narrative unfolds in an alien landscape, exploring themes of survival, societal change, and the remnants of a once-great civilization. The plot centers on the challenges faced by Ul Kworn as he confronts a massive metallic disc that has appeared in his feeding territory. Struggling with dwindling energy and food scarcity, he battles both the external obstacles of this artifact and the internal tensions within his community, particularly concerning his untrustworthy neighbors. As the story progresses, Kworn learns the structure possesses life and intelligence, which leads to a moment of transformation for him. The climax reveals a catastrophic event involving his naive offspring, resulting in the destruction of the structure but revealing the potential for rebirth in the society of the Folk. Ultimately, Kworn envisions the possibility of reconciling the old knowledge with new opportunities for growth, hinting at a hopeful future for his civilization.
Book and edition facts
- Title: On the Fourth Planet
- Author credits: Bone, Jesse F. (Jesse Franklin) (1916–2006)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Extraterrestrial beings -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- 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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