The Planetary Pirate by Homer Eon Flint
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy, Historical
Length: Short Story (27 pages)
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviewer: AstilbeEarth: Primitive or advanced? Worthy or unworthy?
Another timeless tale from pioneering author Homer Eon Flint.
A desperate need for certain chemical elements to save Saturn sends a space traveler to Earth. Once there, however, he is forced to declare Earth too primitive to be of any use. Determined to do what he must, the traveler kidnaps several scientists and turns pirate. Written nearly 100 years ago, Planetary Pirate demonstrates Flint’s fascination with and knowledge of science—and serves as a lesson in humanity.
Too often science fiction stories have assumed that extra-terrestrial visitors mean us harm. What if this wasn’t the case?
The Planetary Pirate is full of twists and turns. Just when you think you know how it will end the plot spins in yet another unexpected direction. Typically, I can figure out how a story will end fairly early on in the plot so it was wonderful to be surprised so many times by this one.
The sociological commentary was one of my favorite aspects of this story.
For example, a Saturnian named Chalter says:“A civilization which advances a part of the race at the expense of the remainder, Mr. She can’t reach orgasm viagra australia price and she doesn’t want to disappoint her husband. Before you have to prove that you are a man and levitra pills for sale have the full potentiality to satisfy her, never delay. How To Acquire Kamagra Tablets For Healthy Treatment? Buy Kamagra online brought an effective approach to order cheap viagra get the best source. women viagra australia The very private and delicate memories are those which you have with your partner. President, is surely as yet in its infancy!”
Not all books can get away with this sort of thing but in this case it really works well. As an extra-terrestrial Chalter is able to get away with criticizing the unequal social and economic development on Earth. From what we learn of his character and the planetary culture in which he was raised Chalter is the perfect individual to bring up these inequalities.
I finished the final page wishing there was more to read. It felt like the first chapter of a much longer novel in the best possible sense of the term. Some of the characters reminded me of people I know in real life and I really wished I could spend more time with them. Even though everything was wrapped up nicely in the end the setting and plot were also constructed in such a way that they felt like an introduction to a complex universe that should have included many more adventures.
If you’re in the market for a thought-provoking story that will keep you up at night wondering what happens go pick up a copy of The Planetary Pirate. You will not be disappointed!
As Homer Eon Flint’s granddaughter, your comments have brought me to tears. He wrote The Planetary Pirate nearly 100 years ago, but the story has indeed stood the test of time. I’ve been given a rare gift–all of Grandpa’s material both published and unpublished, and Musa Publishing has committed to bring everything out.
How I wish he could be around to witness the Internet age and electronic publishing. Doubtless, he’d embrace it.
Vella Munn
Thank you very much, Vella. I wish I could have met your grandfather. If his stories are any indication he must have been an incredible human being!