The eternal moment, and other stories: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The eternal moment, and other stories: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The eternal moment, and other stories is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Forster, E. M. (Edward Morgan) (1879–1970).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Eternal Moment and Other Stories" by E. M. Forster is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The opening story, "The Machine Stops," explores a dystopian future where humanity lives underground, wholly dependent on a vast Machine that caters to their needs while isolating them from the natural world. The protagonist, Vashti, engages in dispassionate communication with her son, Kuno, who challenges her to reconnect with the outside world but is met with resistance. The opening of the book introduces us to a suffocating society where human interaction is mediated through technology, exemplified by Vashti's routine life filled with lectures and social exchanges that lack genuine connection. As her son Kuno yearns to experience the surface of the Earth and rejects the comforts of the Machine, the story begins to unfold themes of personal freedom, the importance of direct experience, and the dangers of overreliance on technology. This tension between mother and son sets the stage for a deeper reflection on the essence of humanity and existence beyond mechanical confines, hinting at the perilous consequences of an overly mechanized and disconnected society.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The eternal moment, and other stories
- Author credits: Forster, E. M. (Edward Morgan) (1879–1970)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Fantasy fiction
- Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 20th century -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories, English
Gutenberg collections
- Category: British Literature
- 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.


