Handyman
by Frank Banta
"Handyman" by Frank Banta is a science fiction story published in the early 1960s. The narrative revolves around a character named James Ypsilanti, who resides in a post-apocalyptic, prison-like environment, presumably on an Earth ravaged by war. The central theme appears to explore human survival and the absurdity of existence in a world where traditional roles and relationships have been fundamentally altered. The story follows James Ypsilanti as he confronts his absurd reality within the prison, where he finds himself demolishing his door for warmth, as the heating system is dysfunctional. He interacts with a carpenter, who represents the only other "being" around, yet is a robot, illustrating a profound isolation. As Ypsilanti ruminates on his past and the ruined world outside, he navigates his daily routine of destruction and despair, revealing a mix of dark humor and tragic reflection on the nature of loneliness and human endurance in a desolate landscape. The book is a satirical examination of both the individual’s plight and the broader implications of societal collapse.
Summary written by Project Gutenberg, by machine.
- Language
- English
- On Project Gutenberg since
- 24 March 2016
- Read in the last 30 days
- 534 times at Project Gutenberg
More by Frank Banta
See all: More by Frank Banta
More from the shelf “Science Fiction”
See all: More from the shelf “Science Fiction”
The Time Machine
The war of the worlds
Thuvia, maid of Mars
Twenty Thousand Leagues under the Sea
A Journey to the Centre of the Earth
The Misplaced Battleship
A Honeymoon in Space
The House on the Borderland
Anthem
A princess of Mars
The Mysterious Island
The Lost World
Voyage au Centre de la Terre
Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas: An Underwater Tour of the World
Time Crime
The Shunned House
The gods of Mars
Lone Star Planet
The warlord of Mars
