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With These Hands: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition

With These Hands: 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

With These Hands is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Kornbluth, C. M. (Cyril M.) (1923–1958).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"With These Hands" by C. M. Kornbluth is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. Set in a dystopian future where technological advances threaten traditional forms of artistic expression, the story revolves around Roald Halvorsen, an artist struggling to make a living as the world shifts towards mechanical reproductions of art. The novella highlights the conflict between art and technology, exploring themes of creativity and the human spirit in a society that values efficiency over artistry. The narrative follows Halvorsen as he grapples with his dwindling opportunities in the art world, largely replaced by the stereopantograph—an automated device that creates lifelike images without the need for creative input. After losing a key commission, he becomes increasingly despondent about his future. The story explores his interactions with a range of characters, including Lucretia Grumman, a young woman who shows genuine interest in art, and Austin Malone, a successful engineer who embodies the societal shift away from traditional artistry. Halvorsen's journey leads him to confront not only his troubled relationship with his craft but also the implications of a society that values mass production over individual creativity. Ultimately, the novella offers a poignant commentary on the importance of maintaining human creativity and personal connection in the face of overwhelming technology.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: With These Hands
  • Author credits: Kornbluth, C. M. (Cyril M.) (1923–1958)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • Artists -- Fiction
  • Science fiction
  • Short stories

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: Novels
  • 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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