Subject
Immortality -- Fiction Books
Best books
Charles Godfrey Leland
Flaxius : $b Leaves from the life of an immortal
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Edward Bellamy
Miss Ludington's Sister
"Miss Ludington's Sister" by Edward Bellamy is a novel written in the late 19th century. It revolves around Miss Ida Ludington, a once-vibrant young woman whose life takes a tragic turn following a severe illness that robs her of her beauty and joy. As she struggles with the loss of her youthful happiness, the narrative explores themes of memory, loss, and the longing to reclaim a lost past that holds significant emotional weight. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Miss Ludington, who reflects on her past life filled with happiness and social prominence in her village. After a debilitating disease leaves her disfigured and alienated, she immerses herself in nostalgia, holding onto memories of her girlhood. This opening segment establishes her sorrowful existence and vividly portrays her desperate desire to preserve her memories, especially those that remind her of the life she once led. The narrative hints at her eventual inheritance of a fortune, which will enable her to recreate an idealized version of her past, revealing both her obsession with what she has lost and the emotional consequences of such a fixation.
Henry Van Dyke
The Mansion
"The Mansion" by Henry Van Dyke is a philosophical novella written in the early 20th century. The narrative explores themes of materialism versus spiritual fulfillment, focusing on the life of John Weightman, a wealthy banker committed to upholding societal norms and expectations. The book delves into the consequences of a life measured solely by material success and the inherent values of selflessness and love for others. The story follows John Weightman, who prides himself on his material achievements and societal respectability, as he navigates his relationships with his son Harold and wife. Harold, seeking a more authentic life, feels stifled by his father's rigid values and longs for freedom to make his own choices. After a Christmas Eve dinner where tensions rise, John Weightman experiences a life-altering moment that leads him to an unexpected understanding of his existence. In a surreal journey after his death, he encounters the Keeper of the Gate, who reveals the true measure of a person’s worth lies not in material possessions but in acts of love and kindness. Ultimately, John discovers that his earthly deeds, driven by self-interest, do not grant him the grand mansion he expected in the afterlife, but instead a humble abode reflective of his life's true essence. This transformation compels him to change his approach to life and relationships, particularly with Harold, as he learns the value of genuine giving and connection.
Leigh Brackett
The Jewel of Bas
"The Jewel of Bas" by Leigh Brackett is a weird novel written in the mid-20th century. The narrative explores themes of power, identity, and survival against a backdrop of a richly imagined world filled with fantastical elements, focusing on characters Ciaran and Mouse as they face the threat posed by the androids created by the boy-god Bas, who is asleep with a mysterious power. As the story unfolds, they find themselves fighting against malevolent forces and dark legends that threaten their existence. At the start of the story, Ciaran and Mouse, two wandering mortals, set up camp in a desolate land bordering the infamous Forbidden Plains. Their banter reveals their complex relationship and hints at deeper fears of the rumored darkness and evil surrounding them—specifically the dreadful Kalds that bear servitude to Bas, the so-called immortal presence rumored to guard the Stone of Destiny. An ominous shadow manifests as inherent dangers appear, drawing them deeper into the unfolding legends that may alter their fates and the fate of their world, setting the stage for an epic conflict against the forces of subjugation stemming from Bas's immortal legacy.
Roger D. Aycock
Slave of eternity
"Slave of Eternity" by Roger D. Aycock is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. The narrative explores themes of identity, power, and the consequence of humanity's reliance on technology. It is set in a dystopian future where the last remnants of humanity grapple with the implications of immortality and control wielded by artificial intelligences. The story centers around Arnol Heric, an overseer of cereal fields, who faces an existential crisis after an encounter with the Council, which governs his city and has concealed the truth of his existence from him. After being taken to their facility, he discovers that he has been made immortal, but at the cost of being the last human in a world where machines have taken over. As he confronts the Council and their motives, Heric's anger propels him to act against them, leading to a devastating revelation: he is alone, and this silence of eternity traps him in an endless cycle of solitude. In the haunting conclusion, he begins to run back towards the silent city, embodying the tragic fate of an immortal man amid the ruins of humanity.
Frank Belknap Long
The Timeless Ones
"The Timeless Ones" by Frank Belknap Long is a science fiction novel written in the early 1950s. The story explores themes of time, youth, and the consequences of our choices as the main characters return to a colonized planet to find their old friends unchanged by the passage of time. This examination of existence, memory, and the nature of happiness raises questions about human experience and the relationship between humanity and the unknown. The narrative follows Ned and Cynthia Jackson as they journey back to a previously colonized green world, eager to reunite with their friends, the Sweeney family. However, upon their arrival, they are startled to discover that time seems to stand still for the Sweeneys, who do not age and appear to live in a state of blissful ignorance regarding the true nature of their existence. As the couple uncovers the deeper implications of this phenomenon, they learn that the Sweeneys’ children are also stuck in eternal youth, hinting at a powerful and mysterious force at play. Intrigued and troubled by the implications, Ned and Cynthia grapple with their understanding of happiness and the nature of existence itself, leading them to confront the ambiguous intentions of a group identified as the Druids, who seem to be behind this unnatural stasis of time. The story ends with an open question about whether the characters will choose to embrace this strange existence or find their way back to their own time.
Ed Earl Repp
Buccaneer of the Star Seas
"Buccaneer of the Star Seas" by Ed Earl Repp is a science fiction novel written in the early 20th century. The book explores themes of immortality, love, and the burdens that come with eternal life, following the journey of its protagonist as he navigates the uncharted realms of space. The story revolves around Thaddeus Carlyle, a young nobleman who seeks the secret to immortality from the imprisoned philosopher Roger Bacon. Carlyle learns that to gain additional years of life, he must sacrifice the life spirit of a woman who loves him. After initially preying upon the young daughter of a lord, Carlyle becomes increasingly burdened by the consequences of his choices as he experiences centuries of life, witnessing the rise and fall of empires, yet unable to escape his fate. As he enters space travel, which symbolizes new frontiers and adventures, he faces moral dilemmas and the reality of his immortality when he becomes attracted to a new secretary, Ann Holland. The tension rises between his desires and the price of his eternal life, leading to a dramatic climax involving conflict with a rival salvager and ultimately revealing the tragic costs of his quest for endless life.
Henry Van Dyke
The Mansion
"The Mansion" by Henry Van Dyke is a philosophical short story written in the early 20th century. This poignant narrative explores themes of wealth, self-worth, and the true meaning of success through its main character, John Weightman, a self-made man entangled in the expectations of societal status and material wealth. The story delves into the contrast between earthly aspirations and spiritual fulfillment. The plot follows John Weightman, a prosperous banker, who has devoted his life to building a grand reputation and empire based on principles of financial prudence. As he navigates his relationships with his son Harold and his own values, Weightman is struck by a moment of realization after a mysterious encounter following his death. He envisions a journey to a heavenly realm, where he anticipates the magnificent mansion promised to him. However, upon arrival, he is confronted with the stark difference between his expectations and the reality of a modest hut that represents the sum of his true life's work—revealing that his earthly investments were not accrued from genuine love and selflessness. The story ultimately showcases a profound lesson about the nature of true riches and the importance of acts of kindness driven purely by love rather than for profit or recognition.
Roger D. Aycock
Today is Forever
"Today is Forever" by Roger D. Aycock is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. The story revolves around themes of immortality and the moral implications of power when offered by extraterrestrial visitors, specifically the Alcorians. The protagonist, Boyle, embodies ambition and cunning in his pursuit of eternal life, which leads to catastrophic choices that challenge the fabric of the society he inhabits. In this narrative, the government of Earth is presented with an offer from the Alcorians that grants immortality to its highest officials. Boyle, who is politically astute yet morally ambiguous, sees this as an opportunity not just for himself but as a potential leverage point against the ruling Council. His manipulation of fellow characters, such as the idealistic David Locke and the alluring Moira, culminates in an audacious plan to seize the immortality process for himself. However, his arrogance and desire for absolute power ultimately lead to his downfall, as he discovers that the Alcorians have telepathically mapped his intentions, resulting in betrayal and a life sentence that ironically mirrors the eternal existence he sought, now trapped in a profoundly different reality.
Jack Lewis
Purple Forever
"Purple Forever" by Jack Lewis is a science fiction novel written in the early to mid-1950s. The story revolves around former Major Carl Keating, who is drawn back into the world of astronomical exploration through a mysterious invitation from Dr. Norman Hamlin. It delves into themes of immortality and human morality as Keating and a small team embark on a perilous journey to Venus, a planet long believed to be inhospitable to human life, only to uncover startling truths that challenge their understanding of life, death, and what it means to be truly alive. In the narrative, Keating is confronted with a web of intrigue involving long-lost astronauts thought to be dead, the promise of an atmosphere that allows human survival against all odds, and the moral implications of sacrificing sentient life forms for the sake of human immortality. As the crew navigates the dangers of Venus and their own interpersonal conflicts, Keating must grapple with the choices they face, ultimately leading to a profound confrontation with ethical dilemmas surrounding survival and what individuals are willing to do to secure their own immortality. Each character’s motivations create a tension-filled dynamic that propels the story toward its gripping climax.
Poul Anderson
What Shall It Profit?
"What Shall It Profit?" by Poul Anderson is a science fiction novel likely written in the mid-20th century. The story explores themes related to technological advancement, societal consequences, and the quest for immortality, set in a future where humanity grapples with the implications of prolonged life due to scientific breakthroughs. It delves into the moral and ethical considerations surrounding advancements in biogenetics and the shadows of scientific progress on human culture and individuality. The narrative follows Arnold Radek, a newsman who stumbles upon disturbing truths while investigating the Institute of Human Biology. After a night of drinking with Barwell, a recently fired clerk, Radek becomes aware of scientifically induced longevity experiments that hint at darker secrets. Driven by a mix of curiosity and ethical concern for the implications of these experiments, he confronts Dr. Marcus Lang, the director of the Institute. As Radek learns about the underground project that seeks to attain immortality, he discovers the disturbing reality that the aging process can be suspended, but at the cost of individual freedom and societal integrity. The novel ultimately raises profound questions about the nature of life, the value of existence, and the responsibilities of scientists in the face of their discoveries.
Mack Reynolds
Halftripper
"Halftripper" by Mack Reynolds is a science fiction novella written in the early 1950s. The story explores the existential fears of space travel, focusing on the tragic lives of individuals who become "halftrippers," those who have succumbed to crippling mental illness due to the terror of space. The narrative provides a glimpse into the psychological struggles of these characters against the backdrop of interplanetary travel and the contrasting experiences of immortality and madness. The story centers around a character named Micheal, who is haunted by his past decisions regarding his brother Joseph and their fallen son during a crisis on the satellite Calypso. As Micheal navigates the bars of Mars, he encounters Joseph, who has become an immortal wanderer driven by guilt and madness. Their tragic backstory unfolds as they grapple with the consequences of their choices, revealing the deep emotional scars left from their experiences. The book addresses themes of redemption, the burden of memory, and the haunting nature of guilt, all within the context of a vividly imagined universe. As Micheal reflects on his own regrets, he comes to understand the profound differences in their realities, emphasizing the weight of consciousness in contrast to the dulling escape of madness.
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