| Author |
Doyle, Arthur Conan, 1859-1930 |
| Title |
The Captain of the Polestar, and Other Tales
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| Note |
Reading ease score: 76.9 (7th grade). Fairly easy to read.
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| Contents |
The captain of the "Pole-star" -- F. Habakuk Jephson's statement -- The great Keinplatz experiment -- The man from Archangel -- That little square box -- John Huxford's hiatus -- Cyprian Overback Wells: a literary mosaic -- John Barrington Cowles -- Elias B. Hopkins, the parson of Jackman's Gulch -- The ring of Thoth.
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| Credits |
Mike Lough and David Widger
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| Summary |
"The Captain of the 'Polestar' and Other Tales" by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle is a collection of short stories written in the late 19th century. The opening story focuses on a whaling expedition to the Arctic, narrated by John M'Alister Ray, a medical student on board a ship named the Polestar, captained by the enigmatic Nicholas Craigie. As they navigate through treacherous icy waters, tension builds not only from the perilous circumstances of their surroundings but also from the psychological complexities of the captain and the crew's growing discontent. At the start of "The Captain of the 'Polestar'," we are introduced to the dire conditions faced by the crew as they become trapped among massive ice fields, with dwindling supplies and approaching storms. The narrator details his observations of Captain Craigie's unpredictable behavior, oscillating between moments of commanding authority and deep personal turmoil. Through entries in his journal, Ray reveals the superstitions and fears affecting the crew, alongside the uncanny events that transpire, including the captain's fixation on an elusive vision he claims to see in the ice. As tensions rise, the narrative foreshadows a tragic conclusion, heightening the suspense that intertwines psychological horror with the harsh realities of Arctic exploration. (This is an automatically generated summary.)
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| Language |
English |
| LoC Class |
PR: Language and Literatures: English literature
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| Subject |
Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 19th century -- Fiction
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| Subject |
Short stories, English
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| Category |
Text |
| EBook-No. |
294 |
| Release Date |
Jul 1, 1995 |
| Most Recently Updated |
Apr 30, 2022 |
| Copyright Status |
Public domain in the USA. |
| Downloads |
364 downloads in the last 30 days. |
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