Subject
Predestination -- Fiction Books
Best books
Oliver Wendell Holmes
Elsie Venner
"Elsie Venner" by Oliver Wendell Holmes is a novel published in 1861. It tells the story of a mysterious young woman marked by an unusual prenatal event: her mother's rattlesnake bite during pregnancy. When teacher Bernard Langdon arrives at her school, he becomes drawn to Elsie despite sensing something unsettling about her. The novel explores profound questions about human nature, inherited traits, and moral responsibility through this strange tale of a girl caught between human and serpent worlds.
R. H. (Robert Hoskins) Crozier
Deep Waters; Or, A Strange Story
"Deep Waters; Or, A Strange Story" by R. H. Crozier is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story follows Ernest Edgefield, a promising young lawyer whose life takes an unexpected turn after he graduates from law school. As he navigates his ambitions and a complex engagement to the wealthy Clara Vanclure, he grapples with personal crises and the conflicting demands of love and faith. At the start of the novel, the setting is established during an exciting commencement day at the University of Mississippi, which culminates in the graduation of a distinguished class, including the protagonist, Ernest. Following his graduation, Ernest pursues a legal career while rekindling his relationship with Clara. As he becomes increasingly devoted to his studies, he faces internal struggles ignited by his guardian's warnings and a spiritual awakening sparked by a visiting evangelist. The narrative details Ernest's evolving feelings toward Clara and foreshadows challenges to their engagement, particularly as he encounters a rival in Xerxes Comston, who is equally drawn to Clara. The opening chapters deftly introduce the character dynamics, setting the stage for eventual conflicts between idyllic ambitions and the stark realities of fate.
Rog Phillips
Destiny Uncertain
"Destiny Uncertain" by Rog Phillips is a science fiction novel written during the early 1950s. The story explores themes of fate, free will, and the concept of destiny being predetermined by an unseen power. The narrative revolves around the idea that a being, likened to the embodiment of Fate, is actively writing the destinies of individuals and can determine life and death through a typewritten page that, when burned, transforms its content into reality. The plot follows Lin Grant, who, after a near-fatal car accident, finds himself inexplicably transported to a surreal realm where he encounters a robotic being tirelessly typing out destinies. He seizes a crucial piece of paper that denotes his and another person’s fate of dying in the accident. As he grapples with the significance of this paper, he realizes that as long as it remains intact, they cannot die. However, a mysterious figure, Hugo Fairchild, is determined to retrieve it, believing it to be a key to restoring control over fate. The story unfolds with Lin, joined by Dorothy Lake, the other car’s driver, as they navigate their newfound relationship and the looming threat of Fairchild, ultimately leading to a tense confrontation that will test whether they can escape their fated demise.
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