영어로 읽는 고전 _ 헨리 하세의 화성의 도둑
헨리 하세(Henry Hasse)의 "화성의 도둑(Thief of Mars)"은 20세기 초에 쓰인 공상과학 소설이다. 서사는 소행성 세레스(Ceres)의 혼란스럽고 무법천지인 해적 기지에서 비밀 임무를 수행하는 지구인 론 조던(Ron Jordan)을 따라간다. 이 책은 위험한 생물체들과 행성간 범죄자들로 가득한 우주를 배경으로 속임수, 생존, 그리고 정의 추구라는 주제들을 탐구한다.
"화성의 도둑"에서 론 조던의 주요 목표는 그의 형 칼(Carl)을 거짓 밀수 혐의에서 벗어나게 하는 것이다. 이 혐의는 그를 악명 높은 감옥에서 종신형을 받게 했다. 해적들 사이에서 몰락한 노동자로 가장하며, 그는 자신의 형에게 누명을 씌운 우주선을 찾고, 궁극적으로 배신적인 화성인 선장 타르누프(Tarnuff)와 대결하게 된다. 이야기는 금속을 소화하고 우주선을 파괴할 위험이 있는 생물체인 실리사이트(Silicytes)로 가득한 우주선을 배경으로 조던과 타르누프 사이의 치명적인 전략과 지혜의 결투에서 절정에 달한다. 순찰선이 접근하면서 긴박함이 증가하는 가운데, 조던은 형의 자유를 확보하고 앞에 놓인 위험들에 맞서기 위해 모든 것을 걸고 위험을 감수한다.
Classics Read in English _ Thief of Mars by Henry Hasse
Henry Hasse's "Thief of Mars" is a science fiction novel written during the early 20th century that follows Ron Jordan, an Earthman on a covert mission amidst the chaotic and lawless pirate base on the asteroid Ceres. The book explores themes of deception, survival, and the quest for justice as it unfolds in a universe filled with dangerous creatures and interplanetary criminals.
In "Thief of Mars," Ron Jordan's primary objective is to clear his brother Carl of a false smuggling charge that led to a life sentence in a notorious prison. Posing as a down-and-out laborer among pirates, he searches for the ship that wronged his brother, ultimately leading him to confront the treacherous Martian captain Tarnuff. The story climaxes in a deadly duel of strategy and wits between Jordan and Tarnuff against the backdrop of a spaceship filled with dangerous Silicytes, creatures that digest metal and threaten to destroy the spaceship. With urgency mounting as a Patrol ship approaches, Jordan risks everything to secure his brother's freedom and face the dangers that lie ahead.
Among the contents
Ron Jordan presented a disgusting sight of an Earthman in the last stages of dissipation, as he slouched along the single dark street of Halo City, the sardonically named pirate base on Ceres, Ron's clothing was dirty and worn, his shoulders hunched carelessly and his arms dangled by his side. A week's growth of beard was on his face, and his hair was ragged and unkempt. If he had straightened from his slouch he would have been an inch over six feet, with a lithe bulk that belied the height; and despite his unsavory appearance at the present moment, his gray eyes in the dark face were startlingly clear.
The outward appearance was all a disguise, for Jordan had a mission here.
From the crude stone buildings on either side of the street came sounds of drunken laughter, the click of gambling wheels, and occasional curses as some player lost.
