| Author |
Bangs, John Kendrick, 1862-1922 |
| Title |
A House-Boat on the Styx
|
| Note |
Reading ease score: 80.3 (6th grade). Easy to read.
|
| Credits |
Transcribed from the 1902 Harper and Brothers edition by David Price
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| Summary |
"A House-Boat on the Styx" by John Kendrick Bangs is a comedic novel written in the late 19th century. The book introduces readers to Charon, the famed Ferryman of the Styx, as he navigates the complexities of life after death in a whimsical and humorous setting populated by notable figures from history and literature. The novel explores themes of competition, social status, and the absurdities of eternal life through Charon's perspective and his interactions with various shades from the past. The opening of the book presents Charon on a seemingly ordinary day as he discovers an unexpected and luxurious house-boat, which threatens his monopoly on ferrying souls across the Styx. As he investigates, he is met with confusion and concern over the implications of this competition for business. His worry deepens when he learns that he is summoned by a committee that includes historical figures like Sir Walter Raleigh and Confucius, who propose that Charon take on the role of Janitor for the new establishment. This introduction sets the tone for the lighthearted satire that unfolds in the following chapters, where various famous characters engage in witty dialogues and absurd scenarios regarding their existence in the afterlife. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
|
| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PS: Language and Literatures: American and Canadian literature
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| Subject |
Houseboats -- Fiction
|
| Subject |
Dead -- Fiction
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| Subject |
Household employees -- Fiction
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
2618 |
| Release Date |
May 1, 2001 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Jan 1, 2021 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
125 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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