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Classic Literature

The Eel: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

The Eel: 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 Eel is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for De Ford, Miriam Allen (1888–1975).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"The Eel" by Miriam Allen De Ford is a science fiction story written in the late 1950s. The book features themes of interplanetary law and criminal justice, centered around the notorious thief known as The Eel, who has evaded capture for over two decades while committing grand thefts across various planets within the Galactic Federation. De Ford's narrative explores the complexities of punishment and justice in a galaxy with different cultures and customs. The story unfolds as The Eel is finally apprehended by the Galactic Police, leading to a debate among eight planets over who has the right to try and punish him for his crimes. The trial takes place on the primitive planet Agsk, where the unique legal system demands that the thief's most loved one be punished instead of him. However, as the trial progresses, it becomes evident that The Eel has no one he truly loves, making it impossible for Agsk to follow their laws. In a surprising twist, The Eel attempts to manipulate the situation by professing feelings for the priestess-judge, leading to further complications. Ultimately, the story delves into themes of individuality, justice, and self-love, while leaving The Eel's fate in limbo as the Galactic Federation seeks an acceptable resolution.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: The Eel
  • Author credits: De Ford, Miriam Allen (1888–1975)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Criminals -- Fiction
  • Science fiction
  • Short stories

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: Crime, Thrillers and Mystery
  • Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
  • Science Fiction

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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