Project Gutenberg
2008-04-02
Public domain in the USA.
200
Fontenay, Charles L.
1917
2007
Fontenay, Charles Louis
The Gift Bearer
Produced from Amazing Science Fiction Stories September 1958.
Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
"The Gift Bearer" by Charles L. Fontenay is a science fiction novella written in the late 1950s. The story explores the themes of morality, societal norms, and the clash between progressive ideals and conservative values through a humorous narrative. It revolves around the character of Richard J. Montcalm, who unexpectedly encounters an extraterrestrial visitor, complicating his rigid perspectives and responsibilities as a family man amidst rising tensions from local censorship. In the storyline, Montcalm, a member of a censorship board, finds himself face-to-face with Liz, a beautiful alien woman who has arrived to offer humanity advanced knowledge and technologies. As Montcalm grapples with his attraction to Liz and the potential gifts she brings, he struggles to maintain societal norms, particularly regarding her choice to remain unclothed. The comical tension escalates as Montcalm faces opposition from his wife, Millie, and the local police, eventually leading Liz to retreat, concluding that humanity is not ready for the gifts she offers. The narrative ultimately leaves Montcalm reflecting on his decisions and the impact they have on his family and the broader community. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Reading ease score: 76.0 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
en
Short stories
Science fiction, American
Extraterrestrial beings -- Fiction
Human-alien encounters -- Fiction
PS
Text
Science Fiction
Browsing: Literature
Browsing: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
Browsing: Fiction
Category: Science-Fiction & Fantasy
Category: Humour
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