The Man in the Reservoir: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Man in the Reservoir: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Man in the Reservoir is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Hoffman, Charles Fenno (1806–1884).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Man in the Reservoir" by Charles Fenno Hoffman is a short story written during the early 19th century. This literary work is a piece of fiction that weaves elements of adventure and introspective reflection. Through the protagonist's experience, the story explores themes of solitude, desperation, and the interplay between nature and human emotions, likely against the backdrop of a society undergoing significant changes. In the narrative, a young man recounts a harrowing experience while attempting to fish in the Distributing Reservoir in New York City. After finding himself submerged in the water, he grapples with both physical challenges of escape and psychological turmoil as he reflects on his life, his love for a girl named Mary, and the profound isolation of his situation. As he fights to survive, he experiences a mix of self-pity and revelations about love and mortality, leading to a gripping climax where he ultimately manages to escape with the assistance of the very fish he sought to catch. The story blends humor with deep existential contemplation, painting a vivid picture of the protagonist's nightmarish ordeal.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Man in the Reservoir
- Author credits: Hoffman, Charles Fenno (1806–1884)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Adventure
- Category: American Literature
- Category: Humour
- 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.



