02489cam a22003613u 4500 63751 UtSlPG 20260610134452.0 m cr n 260607r2020||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d UtSlPG en iso639-1 PS Matthews, W. J. (William J.) The Derelict Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2020 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Produced from Planet Stories Fall 1946 Release date is 2020-11-13 Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "The Derelict" by W. J. Matthews is a science fiction novel written in the mid-20th century. Set against the backdrop of Mars, it follows Geoffrey Thorne, a once-esteemed space pilot who has fallen into a life of despair and substance abuse after being marooned on the planet. The narrative explores themes of redemption, the consequences of addiction, and the struggle for self-worth amidst overwhelming odds. The story begins with Thorne in a dismal state, rescued from the beach by tourists who see him as a derelict. Despite his past glories which include pioneering important space routes, he is now defined by his addiction to the dangerous Martian drug known as t'ang. As he encounters a compassionate woman named Helen Thurland and a Martian friend named Hanu, Thorne is forced to confront his failures and the possibility of change. Ultimately, his journey leads him into the Martian desert where he discovers a long-lost treasure—the valuable Vadirrian oil—which symbolizes hope and renewal, yet his path to redemption is filled with doubt about whether he can truly change and return to the society that cast him aside. The climax reveals not only Thorne's physical struggles but also his quest for inner peace and redemption as he grapples with his identity and potential future. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Science fiction Mars (Planet) -- Fiction Drug addicts -- Fiction Anderson, Murphy, 1926-2015 Produced from Planet Stories Fall 1946 https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/63751 104575 104575