영어로 읽는 SF고전 _ 에드가 R. 버로스의 더 머커 _ 운명
"더 머커_운명"은 20세기 초에 쓰여진 에드가 라이스 버로스의 소설입니다. 이야기는 범죄와 무질서의 삶에 깊이 젖어 있는 시카고의 거친 거리 출신의 젊은 청년 빌리 번에 관한 것입니다. 서사는 빌리의 무모한 생활 방식이 그를 일련의 폭력적인 충돌로 이끌고, 그를 익숙한 환경에서 멀어지게 하며 낯선 영역으로 밀어넣는 운명으로 이끄는 과정을 담고 있습니다.
책의 시작에서, 우리는 빌리 번이 거리 싸움과 소소한 범죄의 방식을 배우는 시카고 웨스트 사이드에서의 혼란스러운 성장 과정을 소개받습니다. 도입부는 그의 모험을 다루며, 갱단원과의 싸움, 복서가 되고자 하는 그의 커져가는 욕망, 그리고 그의 동네 경찰관과의 관계를 포함합니다.
그러나 강도 사건의 누명을 쓴 후, 빌리는 시카고에서 도망쳐야 하고, 결국 더 많은 혼란과 대립으로 이어질 배에 몸을 싣게 됩니다. 초반 장들이 진행되면서, 서사는 빌리의 변화와 그가 직면할 다가오는 도전들을 암시하며, 액션, 범죄, 그리고 생존의 스릴 넘치는 이야기를 위한 무대를 마련합니다.
Classics Read in English _ The Mucker by Edgar Rice Burroughs
"The Mucker" is a novel written during the early 20th century by Edgar Rice Burroughs. The story centers around Billy Byrne, a young man from the rough streets of Chicago who is deeply entrenched in a life of crime and disorder. The narrative unfolds as Billy's reckless lifestyle leads him to a series of violent altercations, pushing him toward a fate that takes him away from his familiar surroundings and into unfamiliar territories.
At the start of the book, we are introduced to Billy Byrne's chaotic upbringing on the West Side of Chicago, where he learns the ways of street fighting and petty crime. The beginning recounts his adventures, including a fight with a gang member, his burgeoning desire to become a boxer, and his relationship with a police officer from his neighborhood.
However, after being framed for a robbery, Billy is forced to flee Chicago, eventually finding himself on a ship that will lead to further chaos and confrontation. As the opening chapters progress, the narrative hints at Billy's transformation and the upcoming challenges he will face, setting the stage for a thrilling tale of action, crime, and survival.
Among the contents
BILLY BYRNE was a product of the streets and alleys of Chicago's great West Side. From Halsted to Robey, and from Grand Avenue to Lake Street there was scarce a bartender whom Billy knew not by his first name. And, in proportion to their number which was considerably less, he knew the patrolmen and plain clothes men equally as well, but not so pleasantly.
His kindergarten education had commenced in an alley back of a feed-store. Here a gang of older boys and men were wont to congregate at such times as they had naught else to occupy their time, and as the bridewell was the only place in which they ever held a job for more than a day or two, they had considerable time to devote to congregating.
They were pickpockets and second-story men, made and in the making, and all were muckers, ready to insult the first woman who passed, or pick a quarrel with any stranger who did not appear too burly. By night they plied their real vocations. By day they sat in the alley behind the feedstore and drank beer from a battered tin pail.
