The World That Couldn't Be: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The World That Couldn't Be: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
The World That Couldn't Be is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Simak, Clifford D. (1904–1988).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The World That Couldn't Be" by Clifford D. Simak is a science fiction novella published in the mid-20th century. Set on the alien planet Layard, the story explores themes of survival, the relationship between humans and extraterrestrial life, and the complex dynamics of non-verbal communication in environments where traditional social structures do not exist. The narrative focuses on the challenges faced by the protagonist, Gavin Duncan, as he seeks to protect his crop from a dangerous creature known as the Cytha. In this tale, Duncan, a planter on Layard, becomes embroiled in a hunt for the elusive Cytha after it threatens his valuable "vua" crops, which are crucial for the health of the native inhabitants. As he pursues the creature, he is accompanied by a native tracker named Sipar, but their journey quickly turns perilous. Throughout the chase, Duncan confronts supernatural aspects of the Cytha, including its unexpected ability to communicate and manipulate its surroundings. Following a series of dangerous encounters and Sipar's tragic suicide, Duncan ultimately learns that the Cytha is not only an intelligent predator but also a maternal figure for the diverse fauna of Layard. The novella culminates in a precarious bargain between Duncan and the Cytha, where they agree to coexist while maintaining a delicate balance between their respective roles within the ecosystem.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The World That Couldn't Be
- Author credits: Simak, Clifford D. (1904–1988)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Farmers -- Fiction
- Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
- Hunting stories
- Science 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.
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