World in a Bottle: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
World in a Bottle: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.
World in a Bottle is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Lang, Allen Kim (1928–?).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"World in a Bottle" by Allen Kim Lang is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story explores themes of isolation, human experimentation, and the longing for connection, following a group of individuals who have been raised in a sterile environment, entirely separated from outside bacteria and microorganisms. The narrative revolves around John Bogardus, a "Lapin," who grapples with the implications of his existence in a world without contamination and his unrequited love for a woman from the outside world. The plot centers on John and his companions, who are human guinea pigs raised in a controlled environment by scientists studying gnotobiotics. As they navigate their sterile lives, John's romance with Anne, an outsider, leads him to confront the stark realities of love and physical intimacy that are rendered impossible due to his germ-free condition. The narrative deepens when one of their own, Mary, marries a contaminated man and faces the dire consequences of her choice, which serves as a catalyst for John and the rest of the Lapins to consider a future beyond their confined existence. Ultimately, they hatch a plan to embark on a journey into space aboard the "Orion Zeta", seeking freedom and the chance for genuine human connection. The story deftly intertwines their scientific background with the deeply human desire for love, autonomy, and exploration, making it a thought-provoking tale of longing amid isolation.
Book and edition facts
- Title: World in a Bottle
- Author credits: Lang, Allen Kim (1928–?)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Experiments -- Fiction
- Man-woman relationships -- Fiction
- 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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