The Polite People of Pudibundia by R. A. Lafferty
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"The Polite People of Pudibundia" by R. A. Lafferty is a science fiction novella written in the early 1960s. It presents a peculiar world where extreme politeness is not just a societal norm but a crucial aspect of the inhabitants’ existence, leading to a strange intertwining of manners and existential threats. The tale explores themes of civilization, curiosity, and the consequences of social conduct in a unique and imaginative setting. The story
follows Marlow, a captain in the Solar Police Force who ventures to the planet Pudibundia to investigate the mysterious disappearance of pilots who have visited the polite inhabitants known as Puds. This planet requires its citizens to adhere to nuanced social etiquette that includes using different colored glasses to interact with others, reflecting their status and relationship. As Marlow navigates through a week of revelry and absurd politeness, he uncovers the dark truth behind the Puds’ society: direct eye contact is fatal, and the very manners that govern their interactions serve as a veil that conceals deadly truths. Ultimately, Marlow's insatiable curiosity leads to tragic consequences, stressing the balance between politeness and survival. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Lafferty, R. A., 1914-2002 |
|---|---|
| Title | The Polite People of Pudibundia |
| Series Title | Produced from Worlds of If Science Fiction, January 1961 |
| Credits |
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 85.0 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Science fiction |
| Subject | Short stories |
| Subject | Detective and mystery stories |
| Subject | Police -- Fiction |
| Subject | Human-alien encounters -- Fiction |
| Subject | Etiquette -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 60955 |
| Release Date | Dec 18, 2019 |
| Last Update | Oct 17, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 231 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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