Author
William W. Stuart
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Subjects
Books by William W. Stuart
The Real Hard Sell
"The Real Hard Sell" by William W. Stuart is a science fiction story published in the early 1960s. Set in a futuristic world dominated by robots and automation, it explores themes of identity, personal dissatisfaction, and the nature of salesmanship. The narrative follows the internal struggles of Ben Tilman, a salesman navigating his professional and personal life in a society where human roles are increasingly supplanted by robots. The story centers on Ben, who experiences a deep sense of dissatisfaction despite having a stable job, a loving wife, and a young child. As he prepares for a housewarming party meant to showcase a new sales approach, he grapples with feelings of emptiness and unresolved tensions about his life choices. During the party, Ben reveals a unique sales pitch involving a fully-automated home—a decision that ultimately leads him to reassess his desire for a less technology-driven, more meaningful existence. The end of the story sees Ben rejecting the suffocating comfort of a robotic lifestyle, opting instead for a more authentic and engaged way of living with his family.
Don't Think About It
"Don't Think About It" by William W. Stuart is a children's tale written in the early 1960s. This fictional story delves into the imagination of a young boy named Tommy, who confronts his fears and the concept of unseen dangers through a mysterious hole in his closet. The narrative captures the essence of childhood innocence, fears, and the complexities of adult misunderstandings. The story revolves around Tommy, a bright yet perplexed child who discovers a hole in his closet that emanates a sinister presence he calls the "Ugly Thing." His toys, particularly Mr. Bear, become characters within his adventure, reflecting Tommy's attempts to navigate and articulate his fears to the adults around him. As the story unfolds, the Ugly Thing's hunger grows, paralleling Tommy's growing anxiety as his parents dismiss his concerns. Ultimately, through a dramatic turn of events involving a fire, the narrative highlights Tommy's courage and the consequences of both understanding and misunderstanding fear, culminating in a resolution that emphasizes the importance of addressing fears rather than ignoring them.
A Husband for My Wife
"A Husband for My Wife" by William W. Stuart is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The book explores themes of rivalry, love, and the consequences of choices made in both romantic and ethical realms. The central plot revolves around an intricate relationship triangle entangled with elements of time travel, ultimately posing questions about loyalty and the complications of human emotions. The story unfolds through the perspectives of Bull Benton and his old friend turned rival, Professor Thurlow Benjamin. The narrative details Bull's tumultuous relationship with Vera Milston, who was initially engaged to him but ends up marrying Benji instead. After years of rivalry, Benji invents a time machine that allows him to manipulate time, leading to an adventure that culminates in unexpected consequences. As both men grapple with their past and the repercussions of their desires, the story builds towards a dramatic climax, where Bull plans a surprise for Benji that ironically serves both as revenge and an intricate twist on their intertwined fates. The novel weaves humor and intrigue with a thought-provoking look at the nature of love and friendship.
A prison make
"A Prison Make" by William W. Stuart is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story explores themes of identity, justice, and the absurdities of modern society, focusing on a man who finds himself inexplicably imprisoned in a Kafka-esque environment where he is unable to recall his past or why he is being held. The narrative delves into the dehumanizing and surreal conditions of his confinement. The protagonist, known as Jay 7, wakes up in a prison cell with no memory of how he got there or the crimes he allegedly committed. As he navigates his bleak surroundings, he discovers that he is in a state-run facility for "protective custody," where his rights and realities are dictated by a robotic lawyer, Mr. Boswell. The story unfolds as Jay 7 reacts to the cruelty of his situation, facing the psychological torment of isolation and manipulation from the prison system. Despite attempts to make sense of his environment and plan for escape, he learns that the prison door is not locked, symbolizing the illusion of his captivity and the deeper philosophical questioning of what freedom truly means.
The Little Man Who Wasn't Quite
"The Little Man Who Wasn't Quite" by William W. Stuart is a short story that falls within the speculative fiction genre. Written in the early 1960s, the narrative explores themes of perception, existence, and the human condition through a unique lens of reality and surrealism. The story revolves around the lives of the marginal figures often found on skid row, delving into the experiences of those who exist on the fringes of society, particularly through the lens of a character named Wino Jones and his elusive friend, Stanley. The plot unfolds as the narrator encounters Wino Jones, a seemingly amiable man who introduces him to Stanley, a small, shadowy figure that only some can see. As the story progresses, it becomes evident that Stanley embodies the forgotten and ignored individuals of the world, existing in a state of near-invisibility while desperately seeking recognition and connection. Wino Jones shares his deep friendship with Stanley, who begins to exhibit more pronounced characteristics and ambitions to escape the confines of their life on skid row. However, when Stanley invites Bootnose, another street dweller, to join him on a journey beyond the normal realm, a dark presence, representing the collective fears and ghosts of skid row, is unleashed. The story culminates in an unsettling abandonment of the known world, leaving the reader to ponder the consequences of disregard and loss in a society that often overlooks its most vulnerable individuals.
Out of Mind
"Out of Mind" by William W. Stuart is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The story explores the theme of perception versus reality, delving into the psychological and surreal experiences of its characters. The narrative revolves around the peculiar planet Nirva, a place that seems to fulfill the dreams of those who visit, but harbors hidden dangers tied to its telepathic inhabitants. The plot centers on Secad Screed, an ambitious Galactic Sector Administrator, who reluctantly agrees to go on vacation to the enigmatic Nirva to satisfy his wife and deputy. Screed, who prides himself on his rational mind, intends to expose what he considers a charlatanism surrounding the planet, which is rumored to mesmerize visitors into a dreamlike state where they lose touch with reality. Upon arriving, however, he finds his convictions challenged as he inadvertently steps into the roles and fantasies created by the planet’s inhabitants. While Viola and Garten embrace the dreamlike nature of Nirva, Screed's ironclad sense of control begins to unravel as he realizes the blurred line between reality and illusion, ultimately leading to a shocking revelation about his identity and purpose on Nirva.
Star-Crossed Lover
"Star-Crossed Lover" by William W. Stuart is a science fiction novel written in the early 1960s. The book presents a unique blend of humor and speculative elements, focusing on the unexpected and complex relationship between a human man and an alien life form. It tackles themes of love, identity, and transformation, as it follows the protagonist's surreal experiences after bizarre encounters with a strange old woman who turns out to be from another world. The story begins with a man who, after helping an elderly woman across the street, finds himself entangled in a set of extraordinary events. This old woman, who is later revealed to be an alien life form, transports him to a new reality where she takes on the guise of various bodies, all meanwhile analyzing human interaction and relationships. As they explore this cosmic connection, their bond deepens, leading to unexpected complications, including marriage and parenthood, through a unique alien reproductive process. Ultimately, the narrative balances humorous absurdities with profound reflections on love and existence, leaving the protagonist pondering his future in the wake of his alien wife's transformations and eventual departure.
Inside John Barth
"Inside John Barth" by William W. Stuart is a science fiction novella written in the mid-20th century. The story centers on John Barth, a seemingly ordinary man who discovers that he is not just an individual but a host for a colony of tiny extraterrestrial beings seeking survival on Earth. This tale dives into themes of identity, autonomy, and the essence of happiness as Barth grapples with the implications of being both a person and a vessel for a collective of life forms. The plot unfolds as Barth navigates his life, enjoying success and excellent health, but increasingly realizes that he is under the influence of the colony inside him. As time passes, he engages with women and experiences guilt over his involvements, aware that his emotions and desires are being manipulated by his colony. The narrative reaches a critical juncture when Barth meets Julia, a fellow host for another colony, leading to a fateful and tragic series of events that ultimately grant Barth his freedom at a steep personal cost. Stuart's work raises thought-provoking questions about individuality and the sacrifices one makes for a sense of belonging and the pursuit of happiness.