The Chapter Ends

by Poul Anderson

What will the end of the Earth's lifespan look like? What will happen to the humans left on the planet when it fades into obsolescence? These are just a few of the profound questions at the center of science fiction master Poul Anderson's thought-provoking tale The Chapter Ends.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction, Audiobook

33 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1954

About the author

Pseudonym A. A. Craig, Michael Karageorge, Winston P. Sanders, P. A. Kingsley.

Poul William Anderson was an American science fiction author who began his career during one of the Golden Ages of the genre and continued to write and remain popular into the 21st century. Anderson also authored several works of fantasy, historical novels, and a prodigious number of short stories. He received numerous awards for his writing, including seven Hugo Awards and three Nebula Awards.

Anderson received a degree in physics from the University of Minnesota in 1948. He married Karen Kruse in 1953. They had one daughter, Astrid, who is married to science fiction author Greg Bear. Anderson was the sixth President of Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, taking office in 1972. He was a member of the Swordsmen and Sorcerers' Guild of America, a loose-knit group of Heroic Fantasy authors founded in the 1960s, some of whose works were anthologized in Lin Carter's Flashing Swords! anthologies. He was a founding member of the Society for Creative Anachronism. Robert A. Heinlein dedicated his 1985 novel The Cat Who Walks Through Walls to Anderson and eight of the other members of the Citizens' Advisory Council on National Space Policy.[2][3]

Poul Anderson died of cancer on July 31, 2001, after a month in the hospital. Several of his novels were published posthumously.


Series:
* Time Patrol
* Psychotechnic League
* Trygve Yamamura
* Harvest of Stars
* King of Ys
* Last Viking
* Hoka
* Future history of the Polesotechnic League
* Flandry

Reviews

[Lyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Chapter Ends is a short story by Poul Anderson first published in 1954 and so is one of the author’s earlier works.

This is a uniquely Bradburyesque work, set tens of thousands of years in the future involving the end of human habitation of Earth and a philosophical / spiritual question about what is best for mankind.

A somber piece, this asks some Platonic questions and demonstrates maturity in his writing that would further develop later in his career. Anderson also makes some interesting observations about human and cultural evolution.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining listening 🎶🔰

Another will written fantasy Sci-Fi space adventure thriller short story by Poul William Anderson about the return to earth 🌎 by a man 🚹 who has come to stay until he dies. His family leaves but to space from where they came and he stays. I would recommend this novella to readers looking for a quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do because of eye damage and health issues. 2022😤

[PSXtreme · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rather boring, non-suspenseful short story. This book would have been the perfect final chapter of a longer saga on the evolution of the species as we stretched our influence throughout the galaxy. As it is, it's relatable to an ejaculation without any of the passion or romance. Highly disappointing.

[Kduhrich · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good little short story/Sci Fi, with an interesting take on what's in store for civilization .

[Saya · Rating 2 out of 5]

Premisa interesante, aunque para mi gusto le falta fuerza.

[Vitor Frazão · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's an interesting setting, but all the potential drama and social commentary are never actually used. it's all set up no pay up.

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

The premise is okay, despite no rational explanation for the evacuation, but then it falls off the cliff from there. It is easy to see where Star Trek got some of its ideas for scripts.

[Mark Rabideau · Rating 3 out of 5]

An exceptionally narrated Librivox recording (P. Chenevert) of a very mediocre tale.

[Gendou · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice little short story. My only complaint is it's too short and has a premature ending. There isn't much plot and half of the book seemed like it was dedicated to describing scenery.

Also, the tension-premise was weird. Some alien race and humanity had struck a deal to split the galaxy in half. Humanity gets the stars near the core of the galaxy, and they have to get off planets in the outer arms e.g. Earth. But the reason for this segregation is hand waving at best. Why wouldn't two races tolerate one another and share star systems? There are more than enough objects in the galaxy for everyone.

[Sparrow Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't often find myself deeply affected by short stories, there's just not enough time to really develop the story & draw me in. And I don't expect much from older stories, as they tend to not age well. But I did get caught up in this one, its question of our connectedness, both to one another & to the land of our origin. And the restless spirit of expansion & what gets left behind, what we are willing to let go. Some of the language may seem a bit quaint & old fashioned, but the core questions are still quite relevant.

I think this is one of those timeless imaginings, and worth the read.

[Asl4u · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was alright. Didn't much care for the sing song voice of the reader. Made it harder to just follow the story.

[Courtney Cox]

pointless

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Most of mankind has left the planet thousands of years before. One of the advanced race returns and tries to convince the few remaining folk to leave.

[Dodger · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's ok, but a great story could have happened here.