Bird in hand: a play in one act: Play Guide and Free Edition
Bird in hand: a play in one act: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

Bird in hand: a play in one act is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Housman, Laurence (1865–1959).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"Bird in Hand: A Play in One Act" by Laurence Housman is a theatrical work written in the early 20th century. This play features a mixture of fantasy and reality, centering around the character of Professor Braintree, a scientist grappling with his perceptions and the boundaries between what is real and what is imagined. The narrative explores themes of belief, imagination, and the intersection of science and the supernatural. The story unfolds in Professor Braintree's study, where he encounters a peculiar creature named Bird-in-Hand, which embodies his inner turmoil and challenges his scientific rationality. As the professor attempts to dismiss this hallucination that seems to disrupt his orderly world, he grapples with the existential implications of his experience, particularly as it blurs the line between reason and fantasy. The play culminates in a conversation with his granddaughter Elfrida, who believes in fairies, leading the professor to reconsider the realities of imagination and belief, even as he tries to maintain his scientific standing. Ultimately, Housman navigates the tension between the rational and the irrational through the professor's journey, leaving readers with a profound reflection on the nature of reality and faith.
Book and edition facts
- Title: Bird in hand: a play in one act
- Author credits: Housman, Laurence (1865–1959)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- English drama -- 20th century
- One-act plays
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Plays/Films/Dramas
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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.


