The belt by Wallace West
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"The Belt" by Wallace West is a science fiction novel written in the early to mid-20th century. Set on a fictional Caribbean island known as New Patmos, the book explores themes of social experimentation and the consequences of dehumanization through labor. The narrative delves into a family's generational struggle with a curse tied to their exploitation of convict labor and the resulting loss of humanity. The story follows Jonathan Robertson, who returns
to New Patmos after his father’s death to claim his inheritance. Upon arrival, he discovers a grim reality: the descendants of convicts have been reduced to robotic laborers in a factory that processes Lapis Lazuli. As Jonathan grapples with the oppressive legacy of his ancestors, he attempts to liberate the workers and awaken their humanity. Despite his efforts, he is met with resistance and learns that the generation of workers has become so conditioned to their servitude that they cannot comprehend freedom. The tragic tale unfolds as Jonathan's attempts to effect change lead to devastating consequences, including the death of a young worker named Jo, which ultimately prompts Jonathan's realization of the depth of the curse that has gripped the island. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | West, Wallace, 1900-1980 |
|---|---|
| Title | The belt |
| Original Publication | United States: Columbia Publications, Inc., 1951. |
| Series Title | Produced from Science Fiction Quarterly November 1951 |
| Credits | Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 85.8 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Science fiction |
| Subject | Short stories |
| Subject | Islands -- Fiction |
| Subject | Factories -- Fiction |
| Subject | Mines and mineral resources -- Fiction |
| Subject | Human evolution -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 70647 |
| Release Date | Apr 27, 2023 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 302 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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