The Tree of Life: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The Tree of Life: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The Tree of Life is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Moore, C. L. (Catherine Lucile) (1911–1987).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Tree of Life" by C. L. Moore is a science fiction short story originally published in the magazine "Weird Tales" in the late 1930s. The narrative revolves around the adventures of Northwest Smith, a space-faring rogue, as he explores the ruins of an ancient city on Mars and encounters a mysterious and otherworldly priestess linked to a powerful entity known as Thag. The tale weaves themes of danger, intrigue, and the cosmic unknown, highlighting the contrasts between civilization and the primal forces lurking in the shadows of the universe. In this gripping story, Northwest Smith stumbles upon an enigmatic woman weeping in an ancient Martian temple. Driven by curiosity and a need for survival, he follows her to the "Tree of Life," where he learns that she is a priestess for Thag, a monstrous being that appetite for human sacrifices. As the tale unfolds, Smith is both drawn to the priestess's ethereal beauty and repulsed by the horror of Thag's looming presence. The story builds tension as Smith ultimately confronts the true nature of the Tree and the terrifying reality of Thag, culminating in a climactic battle for survival that reveals the existential threats that roam the universe. The tension between beauty and horror, along with themes of fate and sacrifice, leaves a lasting impact on the reader.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Tree of Life
- Author credits: Moore, C. L. (Catherine Lucile) (1911–1987)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
- Mars (Planet) -- Fiction
- Science fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
- 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.
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