Subject
Gods -- Fiction Books
Best books
Evelyn E. Smith
The Princess and the Physicist
"The Princess and the Physicist" by Evelyn E. Smith is a science fiction novella originally published in the mid-20th century. This whimsical tale explores themes of divinity, human curiosity, and societal roles, primarily set on the fictional planet Uxen, which has fallen under the influence of Earthmen. The story delves into the life of Zen, a god-like entity who must deal with the complexities of his supposed omniscience and the interference of Earth scientists coming to study Uxen’s culture. In the plot, Professor Kendrick, an anthropologist, and his assistant Dr. Peter Hammond arrive on Uxen to conduct research on the planet’s nuclear rituals, only to find themselves entangled in the politics of local royalty and the peculiarities of Uxen society. The pair unknowingly rent the crown princess, Iximi, as their maid to gain insights into the local culture. Throughout their humorous interactions, tensions arise as Zen, feeling overworked and overlooked, seeks to maintain his status while relishing in the opportunity to manipulate events from behind the scenes. The story satirically examines the dynamics of power and belief systems while revealing the characters' growth and the absurdity of their situations.
Milo Hastings
The Book of Gud
"The Book of Gud" by Dan Spain and Harold Hersey is a novel written in the early 20th century. This whimsical and philosophical tale follows the titular character, Gud, a god of questionable existence as he navigates the peculiarities of life after having destroyed the universe. Theater of ideas unfolds as Gud attempts to grapple with identity and purpose in a post-eternal landscape and engages with various characters, symbolizing deeper concepts of creation and morality. At the start of the narrative, we meet Harold Hersey, a writer who gets lost in the Catskills and encounters Dan Spain, an enigmatic hermit living alone who claims to be working on an autobiography of God. Their conversation soon turns philosophical, touching upon themes of truth, science, and religion, as Gud's desire to create anew is explored in the reflections shared between Hersey and Spain. Their stimulating exchange leads to the creation of a manuscript that captures Gud's adventures and the nature of divinity in contemporary terms, setting the stage for a blend of satire, philosophical inquiry, and whimsical storytelling that unfolds throughout the rest of the novel.
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