Excitement for sale by Stephen Marlowe
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"Excitement for Sale" by Stephen Marlowe is a short story that revolves around the themes of desire, transformation, and the nature of happiness. Written in the mid-20th century, the narrative captures a moment in the lives of suburban housewives, emphasizing their yearnings for adventure and excitement outside the bounds of their mundane domestic lives. The plot hinges on a peculiar salesman who claims to sell happiness tailored to the desires of women,
presenting a fantastical twist on the conventional sales pitch. In the story, Mary-Jean, a typical housewife feeling trapped in her routine, encounters a mysterious peddler who offers her the chance to experience the thrill and beauty she craves. After applying a "happiness balm" from the peddler’s suitcase, she undergoes a miraculous transformation into the alluring Jeanne-Marie. This new persona embarks on an adventurous night out, only to find herself entangled with a fugitive, leading to a high-stakes encounter and a self-revelation. Ultimately, Mary-Jean must confront the implications of her newfound identity and the bittersweet nature of change, culminating in her decision to return to her ordinary life, enriched by her extraordinary experience. The story serves as both a critique and an exploration of the desires that dwell within the hearts of those confined by societal expectations. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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About this eBook
| Author | Marlowe, Stephen, 1928-2008 |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | Finlay, Virgil, 1914-1971 |
| Title | Excitement for sale |
| Original Publication | New York, NY: Ziff-Davis Publishing Company, 1957. |
| Series Title | Produced from Fantastic January 1958. |
| Credits | Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at www.pgdp.net |
| Reading Level | Reading ease score: 86.3 (6th grade). Easy to read. |
| Language | English |
| LoC Class | PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature |
| Subject | Science fiction |
| Subject | Adventure stories |
| Subject | Women -- Fiction |
| Subject | Happiness -- Fiction |
| Subject | Housewives -- Fiction |
| Subject | Sales personnel -- Fiction |
| Category | Text |
| eBook-No. | 73704 |
| Release Date | May 26, 2024 |
| Copyright | Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads | 295 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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