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The Answer: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

The Answer: 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

The Answer is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Petaja, Emil (1915–2000).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"The Answer" by Emil Petaja is a psychological horror story written in the early 1950s. This dark tale explores themes of obsession, guilt, and the haunting nature of unresolved emotions, particularly as they pertain to love and loss. The narrative centers on John Reeve, a man tormented by recurring dreams that blend his past relationship with his wife, Lisa, and a sense of impending doom. In the story, John Reeve frequently finds himself in a dream where he strangles his wife, Lisa, followed by the persistent ringing of a telephone that he feels compelled to answer. The dream sequence highlights his deep inner conflict and unresolved feelings about their turbulent relationship, filled with jealousy and abandonment. As the plot unfolds, John grapples with the consequences of Lisa's sudden departure from his life, leading him to engage in these violent fantasies. In a climactic moment, he finally answers the ringing phone in his dream, only to be met with a sinister revelation when the voice on the other end identifies itself as "Satan." This twist leaves readers contemplating the themes of guilt and the darker aspects of human desire.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: The Answer
  • Author credits: Petaja, Emil (1915–2000)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Dreams -- Fiction
  • Short stories

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: Crime, Thrillers and Mystery
  • Category: Novels

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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