Death of a Spaceman by Walter M. Miller

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About this eBook

Author Miller, Walter M., 1923-1996
Illustrator Schroeder, Ernest
Title Death of a Spaceman
Note Reading ease score: 85.7 (6th grade). Easy to read.
Credits Produced by Greg Weeks, Stephen Blundell and the Online
Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net
Summary "Death of a Spaceman" by Walter M. Miller Jr. is a poignant short story written in the mid-20th century, reflecting the complexities of mortality and the human experience from the perspective of an aging astronaut facing death. The narrative poignantly explores themes of acceptance, family bonds, and the introspective journey of a man who has lived his life among the stars but is now confined to his hospital bed as his life comes to an end. The story centers around Old Donegal, a retired astronaut, as he confronts his impending death while surrounded by his family, including his wife Martha and his daughter Nora. As he reflects on his life spent exploring space, Donegal grapples with his deteriorating physical condition and the emotional struggles of those who care for him, especially as he learns of his grandson Ken's disinterest in pursuing a similar path in space travel. Interspersed with nostalgic memories, humor, and frank discussions about mortality, the narrative highlights his desire for one last experience of the space he loved, culminating in a symbolic final blast-off that intertwines with the reality of his death, leaving readers to ponder the meaning of life, legacy, and acceptance. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
Language English
LoC Class PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
Subject Science fiction
Subject Short stories
Category Text
EBook-No. 29643
Release Date
Most Recently Updated Jan 5, 2021
Copyright Status Public domain in the USA.
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