The Polite People of Pudibundia: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Polite People of Pudibundia: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Polite People of Pudibundia is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Lafferty, R. A. (1914–2002).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Polite People of Pudibundia" by R. A. Lafferty is a science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. It presents a peculiar world where extreme politeness is not just a societal norm but a crucial aspect of the inhabitants’ existence, leading to a strange intertwining of manners and existential threats. The tale explores themes of civilization, curiosity, and the consequences of social conduct in a unique and imaginative setting. The story follows Marlow, a captain in the Solar Police Force who ventures to the planet Pudibundia to investigate the mysterious disappearance of pilots who have visited the polite inhabitants known as Puds. This planet requires its citizens to adhere to nuanced social etiquette that includes using different colored glasses to interact with others, reflecting their status and relationship. As Marlow navigates through a week of revelry and absurd politeness, he uncovers the dark truth behind the Puds’ society: direct eye contact is fatal, and the very manners that govern their interactions serve as a veil that conceals deadly truths. Ultimately, Marlow's insatiable curiosity leads to tragic consequences, stressing the balance between politeness and survival.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Polite People of Pudibundia
- Author credits: Lafferty, R. A. (1914–2002)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Detective and mystery stories
- Etiquette -- Fiction
- Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
- Police -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
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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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