How to Enjoy Robert Sheckley's Dark and Funny Sci-Fi Stories in Epub Format
Robert Sheckley: A Master of Dark and Funny Sci-Fi
If you are looking for some entertaining and thought-provoking science fiction stories, you should definitely check out the works of Robert Sheckley. He was one of the most prolific and original writers of the genre, who wrote hundreds of stories and novels that were full of humor, satire, irony, and twists. In this article, we will introduce you to his life and career, his most famous books, and how you can download them for free in epub format.
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The Early Years of Robert Sheckley
Robert Sheckley was born in 1928 in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up reading science fiction magazines like Astounding and Amazing Stories, and decided to become a writer himself. He served in the US Army during the Korean War, where he edited an army newspaper and played guitar in a band. After returning from the war, he graduated from New York University with an arts degree in 1951.
He sold his first story, "Final Examination", to Imagination magazine in 1952. He quickly gained popularity as a writer, publishing stories in various sci-fi magazines like Galaxy, Fantasy & Science Fiction, and Playboy. His stories were known for their clever plots, witty dialogue, absurd situations, and surprising endings. He often used science fiction as a way to comment on social issues, human nature, and the absurdity of life.
Some of his most famous stories from this period include "Specialist", "The Seventh Victim", "The Skulking Permit", "Warm", "The Prize of Peril", "The Store of the Worlds", "The Gun Without a Bang", "The Language of Love", "The Accountant", "The Mind-Swap Menace", "The Mnemone", "The People Trap", "Shall We Have a Little Talk?", and "Is That What People Do?". He also wrote his first novel, Immortality, Inc., in 1958, which was later adapted into a movie called Freejack.
The Golden Age of Robert Sheckley
In the 1960s, Sheckley reached the peak of his career. He wrote some of his best novels and collections, such as Dimension of Miracles, Mindswap, Journey Beyond Tomorrow, The 10th Victim, Can You Feel Anything When I Do This?, and Notions: Unlimited. He also traveled around the world, living in places like Ibiza, Mexico, England, and India. He experimented with different genres and styles, such as fantasy, horror, mystery, and surrealism.
His work from this period influenced many other writers, such as Philip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison, J.G. Ballard, Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett, and Neil Gaiman. His stories were praised by critics like Kingsley Amis and Theodore Sturgeon for their originality, humor, and intelligence. He also won several awards, such as the Hugo Award and the Nebula Award.
Some of his most famous stories from this period include "The Last Weapon", "The Same to You Doubled", "Zirn Left Unguarded, the Jenghik Palace in Flames, Jon Westerley Dead", "The Petrified World", "The Robot Who Looked Like Me", "Can You Feel Anything When I Do This?", "Cordle to Onion to Carrot", "The Cruel Equations", "Pas de Trois of the Chef and the Waiter and the Customer", and "A Suppliant in Space". He also wrote his most popular novel, Dimension of Miracles, in 1968, which was later read by John Hodgman for an audiobook version.
The Later Years of Robert Sheckley
In the 1970s and beyond, Sheckley continued writing sci-fi and other genres. He wrote novels such as Options, The Alchemical Marriage of Alistair Crompton, Dramocles, Victim Prime, Hunter/Victim, and The Alternative Detective. He also wrote stories for anthologies and magazines, such as Omni, Asimov's Science Fiction, and Playboy. He collaborated with other writers, such as Roger Zelazny, Harry Harrison, Thomas M. Disch, and Spider Robinson.
His work from this period reflected his personal experiences and interests. He explored themes such as spirituality, psychology, metaphysics, sexuality, and politics. He also experimented with different forms and techniques, such as metafiction, parody, pastiche, and collage. He maintained his trademark humor and irony, but also added more depth and complexity to his characters and stories.
Some of his most famous stories from this period include "The Never-Ending Western Movie", "A Wind Is Rising", "The Laxian Key", "The Battle", "The New Horla", "The Perfect Woman", "Dukakis and the Aliens", "The Day the Aliens Came", "Agamemnon's Run", and "The Odor of Thought". He also wrote his last novel, Godshome, in 1998.
The Legacy of Robert Sheckley
How to Download Robert Sheckley's Books for Free
If you are interested in reading Robert Sheckley's books, you might be wondering how to get them for free. The good news is that there are many ways to find and download epub files of his books legally and safely. Epub is a popular and convenient format for reading ebooks, and it is compatible with most devices and apps. In this section, we will explain what epub is, why you should use it, where to find it, how to download it, and how to read it.
What is Epub and Why Use It?
Epub is a file format that stands for electronic publication. It is designed for displaying digital books and other documents on various devices and platforms. Epub files have the extension .epub and can contain text, images, audio, video, and interactive elements. Epub files are also flexible and adaptable, meaning they can adjust to different screen sizes, fonts, and orientations.
There are many advantages of using epub files for reading ebooks. Some of them are:
Epub files are easy to create, edit, and distribute.
Epub files are compatible with most devices and apps, such as smartphones, tablets, e-readers, computers, browsers, and software.
Epub files are open and standard, meaning they are not controlled by any company or organization.
Epub files are accessible and inclusive, meaning they support features such as text-to-speech, annotations, bookmarks, highlights, and dictionaries.
Epub files are customizable and personalizable, meaning they allow you to change the font size, style, color, background, layout, and other settings according to your preferences.
Where to Find Epub Files of Robert Sheckley's Books?
There are many websites that offer free or cheap epub files of Robert Sheckley's books. However, not all of them are reliable or legal. Some of them might contain viruses, malware, or spyware that can harm your device or compromise your privacy. Some of them might also violate the copyright laws or the terms of service of the original publishers or authors.
To avoid these risks, you should only download epub files from reputable and trustworthy sources. Here are some of the best websites that we recommend for finding and downloading epub files of Robert Sheckley's books:
WebsiteDescriptionRating
Project GutenbergA non-profit organization that provides free ebooks of public domain works. You can find over 60 books by Robert Sheckley here.5/5
Open LibraryA project of the Internet Archive that aims to create a web page for every book ever published. You can find over 100 books by Robert Sheckley here.4/5
ManyBooksA website that offers free ebooks in various genres and formats. You can find over 40 books by Robert Sheckley here.4/5
SmashwordsA platform that allows independent authors and publishers to sell their ebooks online. You can find over 20 books by Robert Sheckley here.3/5
Amazon Kindle StoreA marketplace that sells ebooks for the Kindle device and app. You can find over 10 books by Robert Sheckley here.3/5
How to Download Epub Files of Robert Sheckley's Books?
Once you have found the website that offers the epub file of the book you want to read, you need to download it to your device. The process of downloading epub files might vary depending on the website, but it is usually simple and straightforward. Here are the general steps that you need to follow:
Go to the website and find the book you want to download.
Click on the book title or cover to go to the book page.
Look for the download button or link, and click on it.
Select the epub format from the options, and confirm your choice.
Wait for the download to finish, and save the file to your device.
Here are some screenshots and tips for downloading epub files from some of the websites we mentioned above:
Project Gutenberg
Tip: You can also download epub files from Project Gutenberg by scanning the QR code on the book page with your smartphone or tablet.
Open Library
Tip: You can also borrow epub files from Open Library by signing up for a free account and joining a waiting list.
ManyBooks
Tip: You can also read epub files online from ManyBooks by clicking on the Read Online button.
Smashwords
Tip: You can also get free epub files from Smashwords by using coupon codes or joining their mailing list.
Amazon Kindle Store
Tip: You can also send epub files to your Kindle device or app by using the Send to Kindle feature or email address.
How to Read Epub Files of Robert Sheckley's Books?
After you have downloaded the epub file of the book you want to read, you need to open it and read it on your device. There are many apps and devices that can read epub files, but some of them are better than others. Here are some of the best apps and devices for reading epub files, with their pros and cons:
App/DeviceDescriptionProsCons
CalibreA free and open source software that can manage, convert, edit, and read ebooks in various formats.- Supports many formats, including epub- Has many features and options- Can sync with other devices and apps- Can create and edit ebooks- Has a complex and cluttered interface- Has a steep learning curve- Can be slow and buggy
FBReaderA free and lightweight app that can read ebooks in various formats.- Supports many formats, including epub- Has a simple and clean interface- Has a fast and smooth performance- Can sync with other devices and apps- Has limited features and options- Can't create or edit ebooks- Can't read DRM-protected ebooks
Google Play BooksA free app that can read ebooks in various formats.- Supports many formats, including epub- Has a modern and elegant interface- Has a rich and diverse library- Can sync with other devices and apps- Requires a Google account- Can't create or edit ebooks- Can't read DRM-protected ebooks
create or edit ebooks- Can't read epub files without conversion
KoboA device or app that can read ebooks in various formats.- Supports many formats, including epub- Has a stylish and user-friendly design- Has a large and diverse library- Can sync with other devices and apps- Requires a Kobo account- Can't create or edit ebooks- Can't read DRM-protected ebooks
Apple BooksA free app that can read ebooks in various formats.- Supports many formats, including epub- Has a sleek and intuitive interface- Has a high-quality and curated library- Can sync with other devices and apps- Requires an Apple device and account- Can't create or edit ebooks- Can't read DRM-protected ebooks
Conclusion
Robert Sheckley was a master of dark and funny sci-fi, who wrote hundreds of stories and novels that were full of humor, satire, irony, and twists. He influenced many other writers and genres, and his work has been adapted into various media. If you want to read his books, you can download them for free in epub format from various websites. Epub is a convenient and flexible format for reading ebooks, and it is compatible with most devices and apps. We hope this article has helped you learn more about Robert Sheckley and epub files, and inspired you to download and read his books.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Robert Sheckley and epub files, with short answers:
What are some of the best books by Robert Sheckley?
Some of the best books by Robert Sheckley are Dimension of Miracles, Mindswap, The 10th Victim, Immortality, Inc., The Status Civilization, Journey Beyond Tomorrow, Options, and The Alternative Detective.
What are some of the best websites to download free ebooks?
Some of the best websites to download free ebooks are Project Gutenberg, Open Library, ManyBooks, Smashwords, and Internet Archive.
What are some of the best apps to read epub files?
Some of the best apps to read epub files are Calibre, FBReader, Google Play Books, Kindle, Kobo, and Apple Books.
How can I convert epub files to other formats?
You can convert epub files to other formats using online tools such as Zamzar, Online-Convert, or CloudConvert.
How can I create my own epub files?
You can create your own epub files using software such as Sigil, Calibre, or Pages.
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