영어로 읽는 고전 _ 핸리 커터너의 자아 기계
Henry Kuttner의 "자아 기계"는 1950년대 초에 쓰인 공상과학 소설입니다. 이야기는 할리우드 영화 제작의 혼란스러운 세계에 휘말린 극작가 니콜라스 마틴을 중심으로 전개되며, 그는 ENIAC이라는 기발한 로봇과 함께 일하게 되고 자신의 성격과 인격적 특성을 변화시키는 기괴한 생태학적 실험을 겪게 됩니다. 이야기는 정체성, 창의성, 그리고 연예 산업의 압박이라는 주제들을 탐구합니다. 책의 시작에서 니콜라스 마틴은 ENIAC이라는 로봇과 마주하게 되는데, 이 로봇은 그가 생태학적 실험에 선택되었다고 알려줍니다. 이는 마틴이 자신의 경력, 조작적인 감독, 그리고 자신의 에이전트인 에리카 애시비에 대한 미해결된 감정에 대한 좌절감과 씨름하면서 유머러스하면서도 긴장감 넘치는 대화로 이어집니다. 할리우드 정치의 부조리함과 자신의 새로운 곤경에 직면한 마틴은 자신의 성격적 특성을 적응시켜야 하는 계획에 마지못해 끌려들어갑니다. 대화가 전개되면서, 이 실험이 마틴의 창작 능력과 개인적 관계에 중대한 영향을 미칠 것임이 분명해집니다.
Classics Read in English _ The Ego Machine by Henry Kuttner
Henry Kuttner's "The Ego Machine" is a science fiction novel from the early 1950s that centers on Nicholas Martin, a playwright caught up in the chaotic machinery of Hollywood filmmaking. Martin finds himself entangled with ENIAC, an eccentric robot, while undergoing a bizarre ecological experiment that fundamentally alters his personality and character traits. The narrative explores complex themes of identity, creative expression, and the relentless pressures inherent in the entertainment industry.
The story opens with Nicholas Martin's unexpected encounter with ENIAC, a robot that informs him of his selection for a peculiar ecological experiment. This revelation triggers a series of humorous yet tension-filled exchanges as Martin wrestles with mounting frustrations about his stagnating career, conflicts with a manipulative director, and his complicated, unresolved feelings toward his agent, Erika Ashby.
Confronted by both the absurdities of Hollywood's political machinations and his bewildering new circumstances, Martin reluctantly becomes drawn into an experimental plan that demands he adapt and modify his fundamental character traits. As their conversations progress, it becomes increasingly apparent that this experimentation will have profound and far-reaching consequences for Martin's creative abilities, professional relationships, and personal identity.
The novel promises to examine how external forces?whether technological, corporate, or social?can reshape human personality and artistic vision, while simultaneously offering a satirical commentary on the entertainment industry's capacity to transform and potentially corrupt the creative spirit.
Among the contents
Nicholas Martin looked up at the robot across the desk.
"I'm not going to ask what you want," he said, in a low, restrained voice. "I already know. Just go away and tell St. Cyr I approve. Tell him I think it's wonderful, putting a robot in the picture. We've had everything else by now, except the Rockettes. But clearly a quiet little play about Christmas among the Portuguese fishermen on the Florida coast must have a robot. Only, why not six robots? Tell him I suggest a baker's dozen. Go away."
"Was your mother's name Helena Glinska?" the robot asked.
"It was not," Martin said.
"Ah, then she must have been the Great Hairy One," the robot murmured.
Martin took his feet off the desk and sat up slowly.
