The Happy Unfortunate: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Happy Unfortunate: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Happy Unfortunate is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Silverberg, Robert (1935–?).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Happy Unfortunate" by Robert Silverberg is a science fiction novella written in the late 1950s. The story is set in a dystopian future where the Earth has been divided into two distinct groups: Spacers, who are physically larger and robust due to generations of selective breeding for space travel, and Earthers, who are smaller and reliant on plastic surgery to achieve societal standards of beauty. The narrative centers around the themes of identity, belonging, and the struggle between these two factions, exploring the changes that have occurred in Earth society during the protagonist’s five years in space. The plot follows Rolf Dekker, a Spacer who returns home to Earth and experiences a culture shock as he encounters Earthers who have undergone extensive physical modifications. Rolf grapples with his feelings of alienation and his desire to fit in among the Earthers, culminating in an invitation to a party where he confronts the stark differences between their worlds. As he navigates the complexities of his identity and desires, Rolf faces emotional turmoil stemming from rejection and self-hatred after a failed romantic encounter with an Earther. The story ultimately portrays his realization that he belongs in space, leading him to reject the superficiality of the Earther lifestyle in favor of embracing his own identity as a Spacer.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Happy Unfortunate
- Author credits: Silverberg, Robert (1935–?)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Science fiction, American
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- Science Fiction
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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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