000 02369cam a22003493u 4500
001 29619
003 UtSlPG
005 20260610133656.0
006 m
007 cr n
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040 _aUtSlPG
041 7 _aen
_2iso639-1
050 4 _aPS
100 1 _aKornbluth, C. M.
_q(Cyril M.),
_d1923-1958
245 1 4 _aThe Altar at Midnight
264 1 _aSalt Lake City, UT :
_bProject Gutenberg,
_c2009
300 _a1 online resource :
_bmultiple file formats
336 _atext
_btxt
_2rdacontent
337 _acomputer
_bc
_2rdamedia
338 _aonline resource
_bcr
_2rdacarrier
490 1 _aProduced from Galaxy Science Fiction November 1952.
500 _aRelease date is 2009-08-05
508 _aProduced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
520 _a"The Altar at Midnight" by C. M. Kornbluth is a science fiction short story written in the early 1950s. The narrative delves into themes of human experience amidst the backdrop of space travel, exploring the psychological and physical toll it takes on individuals. The story is set in a gritty urban environment, reflecting the social challenges faced by those who navigate through the complexities of modern life. The plot centers around a chance meeting between an older man and a young spacer, marked by deep conversations that reveal the harsh realities of life as an astronaut. The young spacer, affected by the physical scars of his profession, seeks solace in bars and human connections while grappling with feelings of isolation and purpose. Their interactions expose the struggles of identity, the search for belonging, and the impact of societal expectations. As the older man guides the young spacer through the nightlife, their dialogue showcases the bittersweet nature of seeking escape while confronting the haunting truths of their lives. In the end, the story raises questions about the value of human connection and the sacrifices made in the name of progress. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
534 _nOriginal publication data not identified
653 _aScience fiction
653 _aShort stories
700 1 _aAshman, William
830 0 _aProduced from Galaxy Science Fiction November 1952.
856 4 0 _uhttps://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/29619
999 _c70467
_d70467