The Green Dream by Bryce Walton
The narrative follows Owen Baarslag, a man who has become a despised figure among the Venusian swamp people due to his cruel exploitation of them. He is haunted by nightmares that reflect his guilt and the horrors he has inflicted. Joha, a half-Venusian maid, possesses the ability to manipulate his dreams, intensifying his torment. Owen's obsession with revenge against his twin brother, Albert, who betrayed him to the Scientific Council, drives him to plot murder. He believes he can assume Albert's identity by killing him and entering a time-encystment chamber, which would allow him to escape his current life and awaken in a future where he can start anew. As Owen executes his plan, he kills Albert and assumes his identity, preparing for the time-encystment experiment. However, as he undergoes the procedure, he realizes the true nature of his fate: he is doomed to suffer the same nightmares for five hundred years, trapped in a cycle of pain and guilt. Joha, having orchestrated his downfall, is finally accepted back into her tribe, marking a twisted sense of redemption for her. The story explores themes of revenge, guilt, and the consequences of one's actions, culminating in a dark irony as Owen's quest for freedom leads to eternal suffering.
By Bryce Walton · First published 1970 · Genre: Science Fiction, Adventure, Psychological Fiction · 5,996 words
First lines
Owen Baarslag had brought terror to the swamp people. Joha, the little Venusian maid, was determined that he should not leave without it.
Joha, who was part Venusian, twined her translucent fingers through the Earthman's matted hair. She smiled. Strangely, from her light green face, red eyes shone with a terrible hatred and a malignant purpose. But the man asleep on the couch of lizard-skin softened with layers of wing-feathers from the Kuh-Kuri Swampbird, was unaware of that evil, almost lustful hate -- for it blazed outward from her delicate face only while he slept.
What this Textopian page supports
The Green Dream is listed on Textopian as a short story by Bryce Walton, dated 1970 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Bryce Walton
- Date: 1970 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Adventure, Psychological Fiction, Fantasy
- Length: 5,996 words
- Structure: 1 section, 125 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Green Dream by Bryce Walton
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The book highlights a futuristic setting exploring the impacts of technological and scientific advancement on people and societies.
- Adventure — The protagonist embarks on a thrilling journey in a dreamlike world, facing challenges and overcoming obstacles.
- Psychological Fiction — The narrative dives deep into the mental state of characters, focusing on their dreams, fears and perceptions of reality.
- Fantasy — The book incorporates elements of fiction involving magic and supernatural phenomena.
Tags
science fiction · dystopia · environmentalism · sustainability · future · technology · society · climate change · adventure · conflict · human nature · ecology