Author
R. A. Lafferty
1914-2002
R. A. Lafferty (1914-2002) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
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Books by R. A. Lafferty
The Polite People of Pudibundia
"The Polite People of Pudibundia" by R. A. Lafferty is a science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. It presents a peculiar world where extreme politeness is not just a societal norm but a crucial aspect of the inhabitants’ existence, leading to a strange intertwining of manners and existential threats. The tale explores themes of civilization, curiosity, and the consequences of social conduct in a unique and imaginative setting. The story follows Marlow, a captain in the Solar Police Force who ventures to the planet Pudibundia to investigate the mysterious disappearance of pilots who have visited the polite inhabitants known as Puds. This planet requires its citizens to adhere to nuanced social etiquette that includes using different colored glasses to interact with others, reflecting their status and relationship. As Marlow navigates through a week of revelry and absurd politeness, he uncovers the dark truth behind the Puds’ society: direct eye contact is fatal, and the very manners that govern their interactions serve as a veil that conceals deadly truths. Ultimately, Marlow's insatiable curiosity leads to tragic consequences, stressing the balance between politeness and survival.
Dream World
"Dream World" by R. A. Lafferty is a surreal science fiction novel written during the early 1960s. The narrative revolves around the concept of shared dreams, specifically a grotesque and nightmarish world that many individuals begin to experience simultaneously. The story explores themes of reality versus illusion, societal panic, and the interplay between dreams and the waking world. In "Dream World," the protagonist, Bascomb Swicegood, discovers that he shares a horrific dream with a stranger, Teresa Ananias, leading to a widespread phenomenon where an entire population is plagued by nightmarish visions. As people report encountering repulsive images—like wart-hogs and strange bodily experiences—they sink into despair and confusion about the nature of their reality. An influential figure urges society to make a decision about which world is real, resulting in a mass return to a more mundane existence. Ultimately, the nightmarish shared experience fades, leaving a sense of eerie normalcy, as the characters are left to reconcile their memories of horror with their everyday lives.
All the People
"All the People" by R. A. Lafferty is a science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. The story revolves around Anthony Trotz, an unassuming individual who discovers he possesses the extraordinary skill of knowing every person in the world—by name, face, and with a degree of intimacy—even though he has never left his small, restricted existence. The book explores themes of identity, consciousness, and the nature of existence in a world that is increasingly disconnected from personal relationships. The narrative follows Anthony as he navigates his newfound ability, grappling with feelings of isolation and inadequacy despite his impressive knowledge of humanity. Confined to a government filter center and struggling with his role as a "restricted person," he faces ridicule from children and a lack of understanding from his colleagues. As he learns about the true nature of his existence—that he is but a mere functionary for an enormous artificial brain—he uncovers a sense of foreboding regarding the arrival of a group of beings that defy the normal cycles of life. Ultimately, Anthony's journey raises questions about the essence of humanity, the significance of personal connections, and the meaning of life itself.
Aloys
"Aloys" by R. A. Lafferty is a short novel written in the early 1960s. The story revolves around Professor Aloys Foulcault-Oeg, who experiences a dramatic rise to fame after successfully presenting his groundbreaking theories to an audience of esteemed scholars. With themes of ambition, identity, and the complexities of human nature, the book delves into the struggles that accompany recognition and societal expectations. The narrative follows Aloys, a humble and impoverished genius, as he navigates the fine line between pride and fear on the eve of receiving a significant award. After an arduous journey to the ceremony, he ultimately captivates the elite audience with a spectacular speech that showcases his brilliance. However, once the event concludes, Aloys finds himself evading the very society that has just honored him, disappearing into the darkness with a new group of con artists in a place called Wreckville. The story raises questions about the value of glory, the essence of true identity, and the unexpected paths that life may take following fleeting success.
Seven-Day Terror
"Seven-Day Terror" by R. A. Lafferty is a whimsical collection of short stories written in the early 1960s. The narrative explores a peculiar sequence of events that unfolds in a neighborhood where everyday objects mysteriously vanish. The story blends elements of fantasy and humor, investigating the dynamics of creation, disappearance, and the oddities of childhood imagination through the eyes of young characters. The plot centers around Clarence Willoughby, a creative and precocious young boy who invents a "disappearer" using simple materials. As he tests his device on various objects, a cascade of disappearances ensues, leading to chaos in the neighborhood, where even fire hydrants and a cat vanish. Over the course of seven days, the community grapples with the growing terror of these unexplained events—not only are household items lost, but some residents also begin to vanish. The climax occurs when Clarence's sister, Clarissa, uses her wits to restore the items and beings to their rightful places, demonstrating a blend of childlike innocence and cleverness. The story ultimately examines the implications of creation, responsibility, and the humorous downside of unchecked power in an imaginative way.
McGonigal's Worm
"McGonigal's Worm" by R. A. Lafferty is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story revolves around an unusual event that incapacitates all chordata on Earth, eliminating their ability to reproduce, except for one seemingly insignificant creature—McGonigal's Worm. This strange phenomenon prompts a global reaction as scientists and governments scramble to understand the cause of this sterility and the implications it holds for humanity's future. The narrative follows the unfolding crisis, introducing characters like Director Concord, who leads an institute dedicated to studying this alarming development. Central to the plot are a couple, Musha and Cecilia, who embody the human response to the extinction threat when they are identified as the last hope for human reproduction. An ill-fated attempt to unite them acts as a focal point for exploring themes of individuality versus the collective good, dignity in the face of extinction, and the absurdity of the situation. As the story progresses, the real "disease" emerges not from a biological failure but as a reflection of societal values and the human condition in the face of inevitable decline. Ultimately, "McGonigal's Worm" presents a thought-provoking exploration of survival, hope, and the complexities of existence in an absurd world.
The Weirdest World
"The Weirdest World" by R. A. Lafferty is a science fiction short story published in the early 1960s. The narrative centers around an unnamed space traveler who, after suffering a demoralizing degradation of authority among his crew, becomes marooned on a strange, alien world characterized by bizarre, myopic inhabitants. The story explores themes of identity, companionship, and the absurdities of existence through the experiences of its protagonist in a new, hostile environment. In this surreal tale, the protagonist encounters a variety of quirky creatures, including giant, bumbling grubs who possess a simplistic worldview and a group of flighty, unintelligent birds. Initially taken captive by the grubs and later sold to a local attraction as a “talking blob,” he experiences the highs of popularity, romantic interest from a grub named Margaret, and eventual fortune through gambling. However, his ascent to success is followed by a swift downturn as systemic prejudice results in his ostracization and loss of status, leading him to reflect on the transient nature of friendship and the human conditions of greed and disillusionment. Ultimately, he resigns himself to solitude in a world that was once again full of hope but has turned cruel and indifferent.
The Six Fingers of Time
"The Six Fingers of Time" by R. A. Lafferty is a science fiction novel written during the early 1960s. The story centers on a man named Charles Vincent, who experiences a peculiar phenomenon where time appears to have slowed down drastically, affecting the world around him. As he navigates this bizarre situation, he explores the implications of time manipulation on his life and the broader world. The plot unfolds as Charles Vincent wakes up to a morning where everything operates at an unusually slow pace: clocks do not function correctly, water moves like syrup, and people seem to be frozen in motion. His investigation into this phenomenon leads him to discover the thrill of controlling time and exploiting its manipulation for both personal gain and knowledge accumulation. As he learns to master the accelerated state and embraces its advantages—reading countless books and enriching his knowledge—Vincent faces moral dilemmas and existential threats from mysterious, faceless entities linked to the ancient concept of extradigitalism. Ultimately, the story explores the duality of human ambition and the perilous nature of tampering with time, culminating in a powerful reckoning that leaves Vincent's fate uncertain.
In the Garden
"In the Garden" by R. A. Lafferty is a science fiction short story published in the early 1960s. The narrative revolves around a space exploration crew who discovers a peculiar moon that appears to be a pristine garden inhabited by only two individuals, Ha-Adamah and Hawwah, who mirror the biblical Adam and Eve. The thematic exploration touches on concepts of innocence, paradise, and the nature of humanity. The story begins with the crew of the spaceship Little Probe landing on a seemingly idyllic moon where they encounter the two glowing inhabitants. The inhabitants engage with the crew in a dialogue that raises profound questions about identity, existence, and the nature of "people." The captain, Stark, and his crew grapple with the paradox of a perfect paradise that is devoid of civilization while also revealing their skepticism about its authenticity. As they explore the garden and partake in its bountiful fruits, they grow increasingly enchanted, until the captain expresses a profound belief in its purity. However, the tale culminates in an ironic twist, as the crew learns that the paradise may be a construct by a malevolent serpent, unveiling the fragility of the perfect world they believed they encountered.
Sodom and Gomorrah, Texas
"Sodom and Gomorrah, Texas" by R. A. Lafferty is a surreal and humorous novel written in the late 20th century. This work combines elements of fantastical storytelling and social commentary, exploring the quirks of human nature and the absurdities of bureaucratic systems. The narrative centers around the unlikely experiences of a census taker named Manuel, whose misinterpretation of his assignment leads to unexpected and chaotic consequences. The story unfolds as Manuel, a rather unconventional census taker with a penchant for humorous misunderstanding, takes on the task of counting not just the people but various creatures, including mythical "little people," in an area known as Sodom. His humorous misjudgment results in a comically exaggerated census filled with named creatures that do not adhere to conventional definitions. As the plot progresses, Manuel becomes embroiled in events that challenge perception and reality, leading to a crisis in a nearby town when the population surges on paper but is nonexistent in reality. The whimsical narrative culminates in disaster, humorously critiquing human misunderstanding, the nature of bureaucracy, and the interplay between fantasy and reality in everyday life.