The Captain of the Polestar, and Other Tales: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Captain of the Polestar, and Other Tales: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Captain of the Polestar, and Other Tales is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Doyle, Arthur Conan (1859–1930).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Captain of the 'Polestar' and Other Tales" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The opening story focuses on a whaling expedition to the Arctic, narrated by John M'Alister Ray, a medical student on board a ship named the Polestar, captained by the enigmatic Nicholas Craigie. As they navigate through treacherous icy waters, tension builds not only from the perilous circumstances of their surroundings but also from the psychological complexities of the captain and the crew's growing discontent. At the start of "The Captain of the 'Polestar'," we are introduced to the dire conditions faced by the crew as they become trapped among massive ice fields, with dwindling supplies and approaching storms. The narrator details his observations of Captain Craigie's unpredictable behavior, oscillating between moments of commanding authority and deep personal turmoil. Through entries in his journal, Ray reveals the superstitions and fears affecting the crew, alongside the uncanny events that transpire, including the captain's fixation on an elusive vision he claims to see in the ice. As tensions rise, the narrative foreshadows a tragic conclusion, heightening the suspense that intertwines psychological horror with the harsh realities of Arctic exploration.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Captain of the Polestar, and Other Tales
- Author credits: Doyle, Arthur Conan (1859–1930)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction
- Short stories, English
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Adventure
- Category: British Literature
- 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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