The Gun

Written by Philip K. Dick

Narrated by Scott Miller

The Gun by Philip K. Dick - Nothing moved or stirred. Everything was silent, dead. Only the gun showed signs of life ... and the trespassers had wrecked that for all time. The return journey to pick up the treasure would be a cinch ... they smiled.

The Captain peered into the eyepiece of the telescope. He adjusted the focus quickly.

"It was an atomic fission we saw, all right," he said presently. He sighed and pushed the eyepiece away. "Any of you who wants to look may do so. But it's not a pretty sight."

"Let me look," Tance the archeologist said. He bent down to look, squinting. "Good Lord!" He leaped violently back, knocking against Dorle, the Chief Navigator.

"Why did we come all this way, then?" Dorle asked, looking around at the other men. "There's no point even in landing. Let's go back at once."

"Perhaps he's right," the biologist murmured. "But I'd like to look for myself, if I may." He pushed past Tance and peered into the sight.

He saw a vast expanse, an endless surface of gray, stretching to the edge of the planet. At first he thought it was water but after a moment he realized that it was slag, pitted, fused slag, broken only by hills of rock jutting up at intervals. Nothing moved or stirred. Everything was silent, dead.

"I see," Fomar said, backing away from the eyepiece. "Well, I won't find any legumes there." He tried to smile, but his lips stayed unmoved. He stepped away and stood by himself, staring past the others.

"I wonder what the atmospheric sample will show," Tance said.

"I think I can guess," the Captain answered. "Most of the atmosphere is poisoned. But didn't we expect all this? I don't see why we're so surprised. A fission visible as far away as our system must be a terrible thing."

He strode off down the corridor, dignified and expressionless. They watched him disappear into the control room.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Scott Miller
• Release date: Dec 29, 2021
• ISBN: 9781669633174

Philip K. Dick

Over a writing career that spanned three decades, PHILIP K. DICK (1928–1982) published 36 science fiction novels and 121 short stories in which he explored the essence of what makes man human and the dangers of centralized power. Toward the end of his life, his work turned to deeply personal, metaphysical questions concerning the nature of God. Eleven novels and short stories have been adapted to film, notably Blade Runner (based on Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?), Total Recall, Minority Report, and A Scanner Darkly, as well as television's The Man in the High Castle. The recipient of critical acclaim and numerous awards throughout his career, including the Hugo and John W. Campbell awards, Dick was inducted into the Science Fiction Hall of Fame in 2005, and between 2007 and 2009, the Library of America published a selection of his novels in three volumes. His work has been translated into more than twenty-five languages.

Reviews for The Gun

[fernemysteryreader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As I closed this novel I thought of the quote by Rudyard Kipling..."If history were told in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten." This is a story that I will remember and will come to mind whenever someone mentions the Depression era.The time period of the novel is set in the Depression years and through the telling of the story by Del Reese and Rae Lynn Cobb we learn first-hand of the daily struggles of living. Through changes in their circumstances both have left North Carolina to meet in a turpentine camp called "Swallow Hill" in Georgia.It is a story of friendship that conveys that some are willing to share what little they have with others. It is also a story that delineates the preference of some to live their lives holding power over others by bullying, threats, intimidation, exercising self-entitlement, and taking the utmost pleasure in causing unthinkable suffering. Above all, it is a story of resiliency of the human spirit seemingly against all odds in the midst of vile and despicable treatment.I encourage all readers of the novel not to miss reading "The Author's Note" that supplies what sparked her creativity to write this novel and enhances understanding of this Southern industry. Her writing pays tribute to the past workers in this industry giving us insight particularly to their love of the peace and solitude of pine forests, and their sweat and toil of hard and endless days of labor. The depth of characterization makes us feel their great fortitude and the strength of their endurance as their hopes for a better life are tested time and again."A Reading Group Guide" at the end of the novel provides twelve (12) thought-provoking questions for book club discussions.My special thanks to Between the Chapters Book Club from Kensington Publishing Corporation as a winner of a giveaway for this title. The opinions given in this review are my own.#hesaintsofswallowhill #kensingtonpublishing

[lbswiener · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The Saints of Swallow Hill is a story about a young woman who had a very rough childhood and difficult adult life and her woman friend who had a tendency towards same sex love. In the 1930s the woman who loved women was shunned and pawned off to marry a man who was cruel to her. The story is very believable, and sad for both women. True happiness was at least discovered for one of the women. The book was awarded four stars and is highly recommended.

[tamidale · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Donna Everhart has just earned a place on my favorite author list. I loved this book! It’s a perfect example of why readers love historical fiction.Set in the south during the Great Depression, the story centers around Rae Lynn, a young married woman who faces a horrible event that causes her to escape to a rough life working in a turpentine camp in Georgia. Disguised as a man, Rae Lynn has a hard time keeping up with the daily quota.Also at the camp is Del, a young man that nearly lost his life in an accident and is working his way back home to North Carolina. Del excels at the camp, but faces the jealous wrath of Crow, the woods rider and one of the bosses at the camp.I was captivated by the difficult life in the turpentine camp and the evil of some of the characters in the story. However, there were many redeeming characters that gave this grim atmosphere hope. As each character comes to terms with their past mistakes, they realize that a better future is possible. The story had an uplifting ending with a strong theme of friendship and forgiveness woven throughout.Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read an advance copy. I am happy to recommend this and give my honest review.

[donnaeverhart · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I read another author's review of their book in which they gave themselves a five star rating, and they said something to the effect of, "of course I give my own work five stars because if I didn't believe in it, who else would?"

Amen to that.

I hope you will allow me this tiny bit of self-indulgence because what I really want to do is "talk" to all of you, the readers/reviewers who have been so kind thus far in taking time to leave your thoughts on this story. I also wanted to take up some space here to tell you how excited I am for everyone to get a chance to learn about what I believe is a bit of lost Southern history.

I'm from the Tar Heel state, and have heard the nickname Tar Heel all my life. However, this was usually related to the sports teams. Little did I know the background of how the name came to be, or what was involved. Consider Zora Neale Hurston's return to the American South during 1935, back to her hometown of Eatonville, and into the harsh environment of a turpentine camp to collect oral histories and music which became the anthropological work called Mules and Men. A camp much like my fictitious "Swallow Hill."

Through my work of fiction, I endeavored to convey the reality of this uncommon work, and to tell the story of those who labored under the majestic longleaf pines, who chanted and sang, who were born and raised in such environments, only to die without ever knowing anything else. While the work was brutal, many sought it out for the beauty and peace that could be found in the disappearing pine forest savannas.

It's true that I never write easy stories, however, I like to think I write honestly about troubles, worries, about souls lost, and then found. I write about hardships, friendships, honor, and truth. I hope to create characters you love to hate, and those you want to root for, cheering them on to The End.

For the rest of the readers who may have wandered over here to see what I had to say, I hope you will consider reading The Saints of Swallow Hill and if you do, that you will love the story as much as I do.

As always, happy reading!

[bettytaylor56 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I fell in love with Donna Everhart’s writing style a couple of years ago when I read her book THE FORGIVING KIND. She captures the spirit of the American South in such a way that you can feel the torturous heat and humidity, taste the coolness of a glass of sweet tea, and hear the cicadas on a drowsy early evening. I enjoy historical fiction so when I discovered her newest book was set in southern Georgia and described the life of turpentiners I was really intrigued. Living in central Georgia I had heard a bit about this industry…enough to maybe fill a thimble. Set during the Depression, Everhart brought the characters to life as I read. I felt like I was part of their life. There were the power-hungry, thoroughly mean men like Crow and Otis. But then there were the courageous “saints” like Del, Rae Lynn, and Cornelia. A story of courage, survival, and friendship sure to linger in my mind for some time. I am looking forward to discussing this book in my book club.If you enjoyed Kristin Hannah’s THE FOUR WINDS, you would probably enjoy this book also.

[susan0316 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's always a happy day in my reading life to get a Donna Everhart book in my hands. She refers to herself as an author of Southern novels with authenticity and grit. I refer to her as one of my favorite authors of Southern historical fiction. I have read every book she's written and loved them all.This novel takes place during the Depression in North Carolina. One of the major crops in the state was turpentine - laborers hacked into pine tree trunks to draw out the sticky sap and hauled the resin to refineries to be distilled into turpentine. This is the reason that North Carolina is often referred to as the Tar Heel State. The work was brutal but it was the Depression and people worked at anything available to feed their families.Rae Lynn is the main character. She grew up in an orphanage and when Warren, a man much older than she, asked her to marry him, she was thrilled to finally have a home and family of her own. Warren was a small time maker of turpentine and Rae Lynn stayed right by his side and worked as hard as he did. After Rae Lynn performs a desperate act of mercy to her ailing husband, she knows that she needs to leave town. She dresses as a man and volunteers to work at the turpentine labor camp called Swallow Hill. There she meets Del, a man who has wandered his entire life. He takes a liking to the young 'man' and tries to protect him from the evil boss Crow whose main goal is to punish workers to make them work harder. Can Rae Lynn and Del make the work camp better for the workers and get rid of the sadistic crew boss? Can Rae Lynn and Dell confront their pasts so that they can create a new future for themselves?I live in North Carolina and never knew where the term Tar Heel came from or anything about making turpentine. Donna Everhart really did her research in this book and gave her readers a very interesting look at the work involved in making turpentine. The setting was beautiful in the large pine forests of North Carolina. For me, the best part of the book were the characters - especially Rae Lynn. She tried so hard to find a family and just when it seemed like she was going to be successful, she got knocked down over and over. Because she was such a strong woman, she kept getting up again and looking for her happy ending. She was a character that won't be forgotten.My advice for you is to read this book - you don't want to miss it. Clear your calendar before you read the first page because you won't want to do anything else but read it until the end. Once again Donna Everhart has given her readers a southern novel full of authenticity and grit!Thanks to net galley for a copy of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[fredreeca · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Rae Lynn and her husband, Warren, are struggling to make a living from their turpentine farm. It is hard and dangerous work. Warren has a terrible accident and Rae Lynn has to put him out of his misery. When she is witnessed in this act she realizes she has to run for it. She disguises herself as a man and heads to the nearest turpentine camp. This is work she knows and understands. But she soon realizes this camp is more dangerous than the work itself.Rae Lynn is a tough, tough woman. If it had not been for Del, Swallow Hill might have been the end of her. Del is another camp member. He actually moves up in the ranks and becomes a boss. But he knows something is not right with Rae Lynn. He looks out for her and tries to protect her the best he can.I can honestly say I have never read a book about a turpentine camp. This is a story which is hard to read in places. I would have to put it down and catch my breath a minute. Life at Swallow Hill is tough and life threatening. The conditions of squalor and the hard work, add in beatings and “the box”, and it is unbearable! This is a tale everyone needs to read and experience. Just to remind you how easy life is now compared to then.Need a story you will not soon forget…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

[bookappeal · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Nothing special except for some basic detail on how turpentine was harvested during the Great Depression. Men mistreating wives; white bosses mistreating their mostly-Black workers; an LGBTQ character thrown in.