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When I Grow Up: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

When I Grow Up: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Published by Pop Culture Files••2 min read•Automatically generated · review not guaranteed
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

When I Grow Up is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Lowe, Richard E..

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"When I Grow Up" by Richard E. Lowe is a science fiction story written in the mid-20th century. Set in the year A.D. 3896 at a vast University renowned for its broad study of human behavior, the book explores themes of child development through the rival theories of heredity and environment. The plot builds around a unique child named Herbux who expresses a singular desire to become a "Destructor," leading to unsettling discoveries about his abilities and the implications for his future. The narrative unfolds through the interactions between two professors, each representing opposing ideologies regarding human development and behavior. Professor Miltcheck von Possenfeller advocates for the influence of environment, while Dr. Arthur D. Smithlawn champions heredity. Their focus shifts dramatically when they encounter Herbux, a seemingly normal boy with an extraordinary power to kill living creatures with merely a glance. As the professors investigate Herbux's desire to be a Destructor, they grapple with the ethical implications of his abilities, questioning the nature of his talent and whether it stems from his environment or from something more inherent. Ultimately, the story raises profound questions about free will, the essence of childhood innocence, and the unpredictable outcomes of human development.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: When I Grow Up
  • Author credits: Lowe, Richard E.
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Science fiction
  • Short stories

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
  • Science Fiction

Read this edition

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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