The Statue By: Mari Wolf
The Statue by Mari Wolf is a captivating science fiction novella that leaves readers questioning the nature of humanity and the power of perception. Set in a not-so-distant future, the story revolves around a young, talented artist named Tim who is commissioned to create a lifelike statue of a mysterious woman. As Tim delves deeper into the project, he becomes increasingly infatuated with the statue, almost as if it possesses a life of its own. Wolf's writing style is masterful, immersing readers in a world that is both familiar and strange. She effortlessly blends elements of dystopia and romance, creating a thought-provoking narrative that explores the blurred line between reality and illusion. The pacing of the story is superb, keeping readers engaged and eager to uncover the secrets hidden within the statue. The protagonist, Tim, is a compelling character with a deep sense of curiosity and an insatiable desire for perfection in his art. Wolf skillfully develops Tim's internal struggle as he grapples with the consequences of his obsession and the consequences it has on his relationships and his own sense of identity. The supporting characters, while not as fully fleshed out as Tim, still contribute to the overall depth of the story. Additionally, the novella's exploration of the power of perception and the impact it has on our understanding of reality is truly thought-provoking. Wolf raises important questions about the nature of art, the blurred boundaries between creator and creation, and the subjective nature of beauty. These themes add an intellectual layer to the story, inviting readers to reflect on the significance of art in our own lives. One minor drawback of The Statue is its brevity. At just over a hundred pages, the story feels somewhat compact, leaving some concepts and character development less explored than they could have been. Nonetheless, Wolf's concise writing style manages to convey a great deal of emotion and atmosphere in a short span of time. Overall, The Statue is a captivating and introspective science fiction novella that lingers in the mind long after the final page. Mari Wolf's skillful storytelling and exploration of complex themes make for an enthralling read that will appeal to fans of both science fiction and literary fiction. I highly recommend this novella to those seeking a thought-provoking and beautifully written tale that pushes the boundaries of reality and perception. First Page: Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from IF Worlds of Science Fiction January 1953. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. [Illustration: I put my arms around her shoulders but there was no way I could comfort her. ] The STATUE By Mari Wolf Illustrated by BOB MARTIN There is a time for doing and a time for going home. But where is home in an ever changing universe? "Lewis," Martha said. "I want to go home." She didn't look at me. I followed her gaze to Earth, rising in the east. It came up over the desert horizon, a clear, bright star at this distance. Right now it was the Morning Star. It wasn't long before dawn. I looked back at Martha sitting quietly beside me with her shawl drawn tightly about her knees. She had waited to see it also, of course. It had become almost a ritual with us these last few years, staying up night after night to watch the earthrise. She didn't say anything more. Even the gentle squeak of her rocking chair had fallen silent. Only her hands moved. I could see them trembling where they lay folded in her lap, trembling with emotion and tiredness and old age... Continue reading book >>

The Statue By: Mari Wolf

The Statue by Mari Wolf is a captivating science fiction novella that leaves readers questioning the nature of humanity and the power of perception. Set in a not-so-distant future, the story revolves around a young, talented artist named Tim who is commissioned to create a lifelike statue of a mysterious woman. As Tim delves deeper into the project, he becomes increasingly infatuated with the statue, almost as if it possesses a life of its own.

Wolf's writing style is masterful, immersing readers in a world that is both familiar and strange. She effortlessly blends elements of dystopia and romance, creating a thought-provoking narrative that explores the blurred line between reality and illusion. The pacing of the story is superb, keeping readers engaged and eager to uncover the secrets hidden within the statue.

The protagonist, Tim, is a compelling character with a deep sense of curiosity and an insatiable desire for perfection in his art. Wolf skillfully develops Tim's internal struggle as he grapples with the consequences of his obsession and the consequences it has on his relationships and his own sense of identity. The supporting characters, while not as fully fleshed out as Tim, still contribute to the overall depth of the story.

Additionally, the novella's exploration of the power of perception and the impact it has on our understanding of reality is truly thought-provoking. Wolf raises important questions about the nature of art, the blurred boundaries between creator and creation, and the subjective nature of beauty. These themes add an intellectual layer to the story, inviting readers to reflect on the significance of art in our own lives.

One minor drawback of The Statue is its brevity. At just over a hundred pages, the story feels somewhat compact, leaving some concepts and character development less explored than they could have been. Nonetheless, Wolf's concise writing style manages to convey a great deal of emotion and atmosphere in a short span of time.

Overall, The Statue is a captivating and introspective science fiction novella that lingers in the mind long after the final page. Mari Wolf's skillful storytelling and exploration of complex themes make for an enthralling read that will appeal to fans of both science fiction and literary fiction. I highly recommend this novella to those seeking a thought-provoking and beautifully written tale that pushes the boundaries of reality and perception.

First Page:

Transcriber's Note:

This etext was produced from IF Worlds of Science Fiction January 1953. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

[Illustration: I put my arms around her shoulders but there was no way I could comfort her. ]

The STATUE

By Mari Wolf

Illustrated by BOB MARTIN

There is a time for doing and a time for going home. But where is home in an ever changing universe?

"Lewis," Martha said. "I want to go home."

She didn't look at me. I followed her gaze to Earth, rising in the east.

It came up over the desert horizon, a clear, bright star at this distance. Right now it was the Morning Star. It wasn't long before dawn.

I looked back at Martha sitting quietly beside me with her shawl drawn tightly about her knees. She had waited to see it also, of course. It had become almost a ritual with us these last few years, staying up night after night to watch the earthrise.

She didn't say anything more. Even the gentle squeak of her rocking chair had fallen silent. Only her hands moved. I could see them trembling where they lay folded in her lap, trembling with emotion and tiredness and old age... Continue reading book >>

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