The Chameleon Man by William P. McGivern
QR code
"The Chameleon Man" by William P. McGivern is a short story published in the early 1940s, during the height of World War II. It falls within the genre of science fiction, exploring themes of invisibility, identity, and the struggles of individuals trying to find their place in a chaotic world. The narrative centers on a young man who possesses a unique ability to blend into his surroundings, a trait that reflects his
struggles with self-worth and societal expectations. The story follows Horatio Heely, a young man who can become nearly invisible due to his colorless personality and emotional struggles. After being rejected by the army because of his condition, he seeks help from a man named Flannigan, who manages theatrical bookings. Flannigan sees potential in Horatio, considering his ability could make for a compelling act in the entertainment industry. However, when complications unfold involving a magician named Mystiffio and a beautiful assistant, Alice, Horatio's desire to join the army resurfaces. In a twist of betrayal, Alice deceives Horatio into believing she is not married to Mystiffio, and ultimately, with her encouragement, he applies for a commission in camouflage, resolving his quest for identity and belonging. The story deftly combines elements of humor and poignance, presenting a commentary on the complexities of human invisibility both literally and metaphorically. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Download for free
For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.
Kindle → Use Send-to-Kindle
Kobo, Nook etc → Transfer via USB
Phone, tablet or computer → Open in a reading app
Other formats & older devices
There may be more files related to this item.
About this eBook
| Author | McGivern, William P., 1921-1982 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Chameleon Man |
| Series Title | Produced from Amazing Stories January 1943. |
| Credits |
Produced by Sankar Viswanathan, Greg Weeks, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 86.9 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Science fiction |
| Subject | Short stories |
| Subject | World War, 1939-1945 -- United States -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 32652 |
| Release Date | Jun 2, 2010 |
| Last Update | Jan 6, 2021 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 290 downloads in the last 30 days. |
Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!