Pen Pal: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Pen Pal: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Pen Pal is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Marlowe, Stephen (1928–2008).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Pen Pal" by Milton Lesser is a science fiction novella first published in the early 1950s. This story explores themes of romance, human connection, and the boundaries of reality through the perspective of Matilda Penshaws, a 33-year-old woman on a mission to find a husband. With a blend of humor and surrealism, the narrative delves into Matilda's whimsical quest for love via pen pals, culminating in an unexpected encounter that challenges her perceptions of both companionship and the extraordinary. In the story, Matilda becomes captivated by a pen pal ad from Haron Gorka, a self-proclaimed well-traveled man seeking female correspondents. Determined to meet him in person, she travels to Cedar Falls, only to find that Gorka is an eccentric whose supposed adventures are bewildering and seemingly nonsensical. As she engages with Gorka, she discovers a bizarre reality where he, along with his wife, appears to be connected to a much larger cosmic existence, far beyond her earthly experiences. Ultimately, after facing disappointment and the surreal conclusion of her adventure, Matilda reflects on her expectations and the nature of love, realizing that pursuing such whimsical fantasies may not lead to the fulfillment she desires. Rather, her experience emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between romantic ideals and practical relationships in a world filled with unexpected complexities.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Pen Pal
- Author credits: Marlowe, Stephen (1928–2008)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- Single women -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Humour
- Category: Novels
- Category: Romance
- 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.


