Author
Sewell Peaslee Wright
1897-1970
Sewell Peaslee Wright (1897-1970) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
Subjects
Books by Sewell Peaslee Wright
Trial by water
"Trial by water by Sewell Peaslee Wright" is a pulp adventure short story written in the late 1920s. The tale uses a hazardous river passage as a crucible to test love and loyalty, focusing on jealousy, courage, and betrayal. Jean Baptiste Chabrier, a quiet northern bushman, guides a canoe through the Assin-nebah rapids with his wife, Charlotte, and their guest, Les Walters, a charming sawyer who has won Charlotte’s attention. Sensing her wavering heart, Jean deliberately wrecks the canoe at the safer end of the rapids to force a revealing crisis. In the churning water Charlotte turns to Les, who panics, strikes her away, and scrambles for shore, leaving her to drown. Jean, having seen enough—especially the cut on her cheek from Les’s ring—rescues her and brings her to land. The “trial by water” leaves a scar as a lasting reminder and delivers its verdict: Les’s cowardice is exposed, Charlotte’s misplaced faith is corrected, and Jean’s stern test decides the triangle’s fate.
Priestess of the Flame
"Priestess of the Flame" by Sewell Peaslee Wright is a science fiction novel first published in the early 20th century, specifically in the early 1930s. The book tells the story of Liane, a captivating and powerful female character who is the Chief Priestess of the Flame. The narrative is set against the backdrop of space exploration and the challenges faced by a crew assigned to manage a critical resource on the planet Lakos. The plot revolves around Commander John Hanson and his crew aboard the spaceship "Ertak", who are on a mission to investigate unrest caused by Liane and her cult, the Worshipers of the Flame. Liane seizes the opportunity to stow away on the ship, which complicates Hanson's mission as she is both beautiful and manipulative. Throughout the story, tensions rise as Liane struggles for power, leading to her eventual confrontation with her own people. Ultimately, the narrative culminates in a dramatic finale that explores themes of power, loyalty, and the perilous influence of a charismatic leader. The story captures the essence of space adventure while addressing deeper issues of authority and the complexity of human emotions.
The Death-Traps of FX-31
"The Death-Traps of FX-31" by Sewell Peaslee Wright is a science fiction adventure novel written during the early 20th century, specifically around the 1930s. The story is centered around space exploration and highlights the exploits of Commander John Hanson as he embarks on a mission involving an unknown alien world populated by giant, intelligent spiders. In this gripping narrative, Commander Hanson is reluctantly assigned to assist a team of scientists, led by Carlos Inverness, in the exploration of FX-31. Upon landing, Hanson and his crew quickly discover that the planet is fraught with danger as they encounter terrifying, organized spider-like beings known as Aranians. After a series of harrowing encounters, the team faces a crisis when two of the scientists go missing and are believed to be captured by the Aranians. As tensions rise and the threat of annihilation looms, Hanson orchestrates a bold plan to rescue his comrades while navigating the treacherous dynamics of alien life. The tale escalates into a thrilling confrontation that tests the limits of courage and scientific inquiry.
Vampires of Space
"Vampires of Space" by Sewell Peaslee Wright is a science fiction novella published in the early 20th century, specifically in the 1930s. The narrative follows Commander John Hanson as he recounts his terrifying encounter with mysterious entities known as the Electites that inhabit space. The story captures the essence of space exploration and the unknown dangers that come with it, highlighting a thrilling adventure in a vast, uncharted universe. The plot centers on Commander Hanson and his ship, the "Ertak", which is sent on a mission to investigate the disappearance of two passenger ships in a relatively unused area of space. During their journey, Hanson and his crew encounter the Electites—creatures that appear as crescent-shaped entities glowing with a reddish light. As these creatures begin to attack the ship, feeding off its metal hull, the crew must devise a plan to combat this unique threat. Led by the ingenuity of the young officer Hendricks, they create a makeshift weapon using a spray of acidulated water to destroy the Electites and ultimately save themselves and their ship from destruction. The story combines elements of suspense, adventure, and exploration, showcasing the challenges faced in uncharted territories of space.
The Infra-Medians
"The Infra-Medians" by Sewell Peaslee Wright is a science fiction novel written in the early 1930s. The story revolves around a man named Pete Grahame, who embarks on a perilous journey to rescue his friend and love interest from a mysterious alternate dimension. The book explores themes of existence beyond human perception and the consequences of scientific experimentation. The narrative begins with Pete receiving a distress signal from Vic Butler, who has unwittingly plunged into a bizarre and shadowy realm called Infra-Media during an experiment meant to explore forms of life beyond human detection. With Hope, Vic's sister, also caught in this strange existence, Pete follows them into this unsettling world where they encounter despairing, non-human beings that desire death and suffering as a form of life. The trio confronts their reality as "Infra-Medians," non-physical beings trapped in a surreal landscape. The storyline intensifies as Pete, Vic, and Hope devise a plan to escape back to their own reality, culminating in a dramatic climax as they battle against the inhabitants of Infra-Media, ultimately seeking a way to return home.
The Terror from the Depths
"The Terror from the Depths" by Sewell Peaslee Wright is a science fiction novel written in the early 20th century, specifically during the 1930s. The book dives into themes of exploration and adventure as it follows Commander John Hanson and his crew on the Special Patrol ship, the "Ertak", as they confront a mysterious and formidable sea creature on the planet Hydrot. The story begins with Commander Hanson and his first officer, Correy, on what they expect to be another monotonous routine patrol. However, their itinerary changes dramatically when they receive a distress call from the passenger liner "Kabit", which has landed on a newly formed continent in Hydrot and is under attack by a gigantic sea serpent. As the crew formulates a rescue plan, they witness the serpent's terrifying power firsthand. The narrative unfolds as they land on the continent, facing the creature in a desperate bid to save the passengers of the "Kabit". The book culminates in a tense showdown with the serpent, culminating in an intense battle that tests the bravery and ingenuity of Hanson and his team, highlighting themes of courage and resilience against overwhelming odds.
The God in the Box
"The God in the Box" by Sewell Peaslee Wright is a science fiction novella written in the early 20th century, originally published in 1931. The story centers around Commander John Hanson of the Special Patrol Service, who recounts his adventures on a remote planet called Strobus, inhabited by the Strobians. The book explores themes of exploration, communication between different species, and the legacy of a past explorer whose teachings still resonate with the inhabitants of Strobus. In the narrative, Commander Hanson and his crew journey to the planet Strobus during a routine patrol, where they discover a thriving civilization of translucent-skinned beings, who revere a being named Thomas Anderson, the first human to visit their world centuries ago. As tensions rise from an impending invasion by a group known as the Neens, who resent the Strobians, the crew of the "Ertak" aides in their defense. Through the course of events, Hanson's actions affirm the connection between humanity and the Strobians, ultimately leading to a reaffirmation of peace among the people who look to Anderson as a central figure of their history. The tale highlights both the struggles of interspecies communication and the importance of understanding and friendship between cultures.