Cover of Glow Worm

Glow Worm

    Glow Worm is a Victorian science fiction and classic fantasy story collection by Harlan Ellison. Key subjects include space flight.

    On Project Gutenberg it was downloaded 502 times in the last 30 days.

    It is in the public domain in the United States and free to read on Project Gutenberg.

    About Glow Worm

    "Glow Worm" by Harlan Ellison is a science fiction short story written during the mid-20th century. The narrative revolves around the themes of isolation and the consequences of humanity's actions, exploring the aftermath of a catastrophic war that has decimated life on Earth. The protagonist, Seligman, is a remarkable human specimen, transformed by experiments into a glowing, invulnerable being, symbolizing the last remnant of humanity in a world now devoid of life. In the story, Seligman grapples with his profound loneliness as the sole survivor after humanity has annihilated itself through war. With his peculiar green glow and newfound powers rendering him impervious to harm, he embarks on a journey to find any traces of life among the stars, ultimately learning that his transformation has left him further estranged from his humanity. As he readsies himself for departure, he reflects on the fate of his species and his own existence, realizing he is now more a symbol of humanity's destruction rather than a participant in its continuation. The tale culminates in Seligman renouncing his hope for connection, resigning to an eternal solitude that embodies the grim truth of mankind's legacy.
    Summary from Project Gutenberg (automatically generated)

    Themes, setting & tropes

    Genres

    Subjects

    • Science fiction
    • Space flight
    • Apocalyptic fiction

    Quick answers

    Who wrote Glow Worm?

    Glow Worm was written by Harlan Ellison.

    What genre is Glow Worm?

    It is usually shelved as Victorian Science Fiction and Classic Fantasy.

    Is Glow Worm free to read?

    Yes. It is in the public domain in the United States and can be read free on Project Gutenberg in EPUB, Kindle and HTML formats.

    What books are similar to Glow Worm?

    Readers who like it often enjoy After London, Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus and The Time Machine.

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