Accept no substitutes by Robert Sheckley

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About this eBook

Author Sheckley, Robert, 1928-2005
Illustrator Emshwiller, Ed, 1925-1990
Title Accept no substitutes
Original Publication New York, NY: Royal Publications, Inc., 1957.
Credits Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Summary "Accept No Substitutes" by Robert Sheckley is a science fiction short story written during the mid-20th century. The narrative centers around Ralph Garvey, a man desperate to escape the constraints of Earth's Sexual Morality Act by procuring an illegal sex surrogate from a black market factory. Set in a futuristic universe where humanity has begun to colonize other planets, the story explores themes of desire, identity, and the consequences of seeking substitutes for genuine human connection. The plot unfolds as Garvey navigates the challenges of smuggling the surrogate aboard his private space yacht while being pursued by Customs inspectors. When he finally activates the surrogate, he discovers she is not only exceptionally strong but also driven by primal instincts that quickly turn dangerous. Garvey finds himself in a life-or-death struggle with this formidable creature as he confronts the folly of his choices. Ultimately, the story culminates in Garvey's decision to seek out real women on Algol instead of relying on synthetic substitutes, highlighting the inherent risks in substituting true relationships for manufactured ones. The story combines humor with tension, showcasing Sheckley's trademark wit and commentary on human nature. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
Subject Science fiction
Subject Short stories
Subject Androids -- Fiction
Category Text
EBook-No. 71859
Release Date
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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