Placebo: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
Placebo: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
Placebo is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Mason, David (1924–1974).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Placebo" by David Mason is a science fiction story written in the mid-20th century. The narrative unfolds during a time of emerging technological advancements and societal changes, reflecting themes of time travel and the complexities of different realities. The tale explores the concept of psychological and societal perceptions as the protagonist encounters an unusual and chaotic interaction with an alien traveler from another 1955, dealing with the dichotomy of primitive versus advanced civilizations. The story centers around Philip Corrigan, who discovers a time traveler named Darwin Lenner stranded in a peculiar world that appears simple and carefree compared to Lenner's more structured and rigid society. As they interact, Lenner expresses his despair over his inability to return to his home world—where complexity reigns over freedom. With a comedic twist, Corrigan, alongside another character named Burwell, ultimately deceives Lenner into believing that his faulty time machine has been successfully repaired, illuminating the idea that psychological belief can serve as a catalyst for action. The conclusion emphasizes the value of self-belief over mechanical reliance, as Lenner's departure is facilitated by the notion of empowerment rather than the actual functioning of his device, highlighting a whimsical critique of civilization's reliance on technology.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Placebo
- Author credits: Mason, David (1924–1974)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- Time travel -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- 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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