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

The Worlds of Joe Shannon is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Robinson, Frank M. (1926–2014).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The Worlds of Joe Shannon" by Frank M. Robinson is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century. The story explores the concept of alternate realities and how individuals might escape their dissatisfaction with life. The central topic revolves around a character named Joe Shannon, who creates a machine called the "Paradise booth," allowing people to choose and enter idealized worlds that cater to their dreams and desires. The narrative follows Joe Shannon, a brilliant electronics engineer, who feels that many people are unhappy in their current lives. To address this, he invents the Paradise booth, which transports individuals to their desired reality. Initially met with skepticism, the booths begin to attract users seeking an escape. However, as more townsfolk disappear into their perfect worlds, Joe and his friend Harry discover the troubling consequences of this invention. The story culminates in Joe's realization that the world’s discontent is universal, prompting a decision to seek his own paradise, ultimately leaving behind the empty town of Fremont. Through its exploration of dreams, reality, and the consequences of escapism, the novella raises important questions about the nature of happiness and human connection.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The Worlds of Joe Shannon
- Author credits: Robinson, Frank M. (1926–2014)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- 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.


