The cottage: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The cottage: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The cottage is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Long, Frank Belknap (1903–1994).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Cottage" by Frank Belknap Long is a science fiction short story published in the mid-20th century, specifically in 1954. The narrative explores themes of cruelty, familial relationships, and the consequences of obsessive hatred. It delves into the psychological and supernatural ramifications of a man's harsh treatment of his stepchildren, examining the darker aspects of human emotions and actions, particularly in the context of a violent universe. The story centers around Will Durkin, a cruel stepfather who harbors deep animosity toward his stepchildren, Robert and Emily, and their mother, Helen. The tale begins with Durkin gleefully presenting a dollhouse to the children, intending it as a tool for emotional punishment by reflecting their disdain for him. However, as he confronts the children's vivid and imaginative transformation of the dolls, which portrays him as a demonic figure, the story escalates into a supernatural twist. As atomic explosions occur outside, the cottage is uprooted into another dimension, and Durkin, embittered and vengeful, realizes too late the implications of his cruelty, culminating in a fateful encounter with a childlike force of revenge. The story encapsulates the interplay of childhood innocence and adult malice, ultimately highlighting the perils of a vindictive nature.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The cottage
- Author credits: Long, Frank Belknap (1903–1994)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Children -- Fiction
- Cruelty -- Fiction
- Dollhouses -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- Stepfathers -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- 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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