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

The Aab is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Ludwig, Edward W. (1920–1990).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Aab" by Edward W. Ludwig is a science fiction story written in the early 1950s. This narrative unfolds on Mars, featuring themes of survival, desperation, and unexpected encounters with alien life. The story centers around Monk O'Hara, a prospector dealing with the consequences of his actions in a hostile environment, reflecting the broader anxieties surrounding space exploration during this time period. In the tale, Monk finds himself buried up to his neck in Martian sand after a fateful encounter with a Martian trader and his daughter, Tooli. Desperate for survival, he grapples with the looming threat of a carnivorous creature known as the Aab, while also reflecting on his ambitious plans fueled by the discovery of valuable Devil Egg seeds. The tension escalates as Monk engages in a mental battle with the Aab, ultimately resorting to cannibalistic desperation as he consumes the creature in a bid to stay alive. The story culminates in a twist when Monk's anticipated rescue transforms into an ominous realization of further danger, hinting at the unpredictability of alien interactions and human greed.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Aab
- Author credits: Ludwig, Edward W. (1920–1990)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
- Mars (Planet) -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
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.


