The Keeper: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Keeper: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Keeper is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Piper, H. Beam (1904–1964).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Keeper" by H. Beam Piper is a science fiction novella published in the mid-20th century. Set in a distant future where humanity has ventured into space and civilizations have risen and fallen, the book revolves around themes of legacy, guardianship, and the battle against greed. The story follows Raud, an elderly man designated as the Keeper of a powerful artifact, the Crown, which holds significant historical importance. In the narrative, Raud lives a solitary existence in the Northland, protecting the Crown and his home with the help of his two dogs. When his home is invaded and the Crown is stolen by a group of thieves, including Vahr Farg's son and three Southron deserters, Raud embarks on a perilous quest to retrieve it. Amidst harsh weather conditions and the dangers of the Ice-Father, he faces internal conflicts regarding his duty as a Keeper and the realities of aging. His journey culminates in a confrontation where he fights to reclaim the Crown, ultimately recognizing both the value of the artifact and his own inadequacies as its guardian. The story explores the relationship between the past and present, emphasizing the importance of responsibility and the surprising resilience of the human spirit.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Keeper
- Author credits: Piper, H. Beam (1904–1964)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Science fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Novels
- 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.
Sources
More in Books & Authors
Keep reading
