The Sense of Wonder: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Sense of Wonder: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The Sense of Wonder is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Marlowe, Stephen (1928–2008).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Sense of Wonder" by Milton Lesser is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. The story explores themes of human curiosity and the quest for understanding in a technologically controlled society. The narrative revolves around the protagonist, Rikud, who grapples with the meaning of change and existence aboard a spaceship, where the rhythm of life is dictated by machines, leaving him feeling isolated and confused. In "The Sense of Wonder," Rikud's life aboard the ship takes a turn as he begins to notice changes in the stars outside the viewport, leading him on a journey of self-discovery. He becomes increasingly aware of his surroundings and the limitations imposed by the machine-driven society. Through interactions with companions like Chuls and Crifer, Rikud grapples with his motivations, desires, and the nature of existence itself. As he delves deeper, he uncovers doors hinting at a world beyond his familiar confines, which ultimately leads him to make a bold choice. The climax of the story sees Rikud breaking free from the confines of the machinery, stepping into a vibrant garden, and discovering not only a new environment but also a sense of belonging and connection to others, including women, paving the way for a hopeful new beginning.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Sense of Wonder
- Author credits: Marlowe, Stephen (1928–2008)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Interstellar travel -- Fiction
- Science fiction
- Short stories
- Space ships -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Novels
- 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.


