The Downhill Side of Thirty: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Downhill Side of Thirty: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Downhill Side of Thirty is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Shockley, Virgil F..
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Downhill Side of Thirty" by Virgil F. Shockley is a science fiction novella published in the late 1950s. Set in a futuristic society where strict regulations govern health and behavior for those over thirty-five, the narrative explores themes of personal freedom and societal control. The story unfolds against a backdrop of a world that severely restricts sexual relations and tobacco use to mitigate health risks associated with aging, reflecting societal fears and obsessions regarding health and morality. The protagonist, Chuck Dane, grapples with the oppressive rules of his society, feeling the tension between personal desires and societal expectations. As he faces the challenges of his age and the pervasive propaganda discouraging adult enjoyment, Chuck finds himself yearning for the simple pleasures of life, particularly the comfort of smoking and intimate relationships. The novella dives into Chuck's internal conflict, as he clandestinely engages in prohibited acts while resisting the government’s grasp on his autonomy. Ultimately, the story serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of overreaching control in the name of health and safety, emphasizing the importance of individual choice and the human spirit's resilience against societal repression.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Downhill Side of Thirty
- Author credits: Shockley, Virgil F.
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- Social control -- Fiction
- United States -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Novels
- 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.
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