The Battle of the Bells: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Battle of the Bells: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Battle of the Bells is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Bixby, Jerome (1923–1998).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Battle of the Bells" by Jerome Bixby is a short story published in the mid-20th century, specifically in 1954. This humorous tale explores the themes of practical jokes and moral introspection against the backdrop of a small town in western Pennsylvania. It contrasts the innocence of small-town life with the complexities of human nature and the divine. The story centers on Charley Mason, a town resident known for his practical jokes aimed at unsuspecting travelers who stop at his outhouse. Charley’s antics take an unexpected turn when a fat woman from the city becomes his latest victim, launching into a tirade about morality and sin, which catches the attention of heavenly and hellish beings. A young man representing good and a dark figure representing evil engage in a cosmic struggle initiated by Charley's prank, debating the nature of good and evil and the impact of such seemingly innocent jokes on the human soul. Ultimately, the story culminates in a humorous and unexpected resolution that emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and the inner battle against temptation, leaving readers to ponder the fine line between humor and insensitivity.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Battle of the Bells
- Author credits: Bixby, Jerome (1923–1998)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Angels -- Fiction
- Devil -- Fiction
- Pennsylvania -- Fiction
- Practical jokes -- Fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Humour
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Category: Short Stories
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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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