Project Gutenberg
2007-10-05
Public domain in the USA.
7230
Weinbaum, Stanley G. (Stanley Grauman)
1902
1935
Weinbaum, Stanley Grauman
Pygmalion's Spectacles
Produced from A Martian Odyssey and Others published in 1949.
Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
"Pygmalion's Spectacles" by Stanley G. Weinbaum is a science fiction short story written in the early 20th century. The narrative explores themes of reality versus illusion through a fantastical premise involving a pair of magical spectacles that allow a person to experience a vividly imagined world. The story raises philosophical questions about perception, reality, and the nature of existence itself. The plot centers around Dan Burke, who encounters Professor Albert Ludwig in Central Park after feeling disillusioned by a party. Ludwig introduces Dan to his invention—a device that can create a completely immersive experience, allowing users to engage with a story as if they were part of it. When Dan dons the spectacles, he is transported to a beautiful and surreal realm called Paracosma, where he meets a captivating girl named Galatea. As their connection deepens, Dan grapples with the consequences of their relationship, ultimately facing the painful truth that his experiences in Paracosma, while enchanting, are ephemeral and constructed from dreams rather than reality. The story culminates in a bittersweet revelation about the nature of love and existence, blurring the lines between shadow and substance. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading ease score: 85.1 (6th grade). Easy to read.
en
Science fiction
Short stories
PS
Text
Science Fiction
Browsing: Literature
Browsing: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
Browsing: Fiction
Category: Short Stories
Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
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