Collector's Item by Evelyn E. Smith
The story revolves around a young woman who becomes obsessed with a wealthy family after being hired as their nanny. She begins to manipulate the family members and eventually marries into the family, becoming a part of their lives. However, her true intentions are slowly revealed, exposing her dark past and sinister motives.
By Evelyn E. Smith · First published 1951 · Genre: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure · 17,269 words
First lines
[Sidenote: _Being trapped in the steaming h -- l of Venus is no excuse for forgetting one's manners -- but anyone abducted, marooned, tricked, kept from tea might well crack under the strain! _]
"What I should like to know," Professor Bernardi said, gazing pensively after the lizard-man as he bore the shrieking form of Miss Anspacher off in his scaly arms, "is whether he is planning to eat her or make love to her. Because, in the latter instance, I'm not sure we should interfere. It may be her only chance."
What this Textopian page supports
Collector's Item is listed on Textopian as a novel by Evelyn E. Smith, dated 1951 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Evelyn E. Smith
- Date: 1951 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Fantasy, Adventure, Humor, Satire
- Length: 17,269 words
- Structure: 1 section, 449 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Collector's Item by Evelyn E. Smith
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Collector's Item?
- How does this novel by Evelyn E. Smith fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The plot revolves around an expedition to Venus, featuring extraterrestrial beings and advanced technology, which are hallmarks of the science fiction genre.
- Fantasy — The presence of a telepathic lizard-man and the fantastical elements of Venusian life contribute to the fantasy aspects of the narrative.
- Adventure — The characters embark on a perilous journey in an alien environment, facing challenges and engaging in action, typical of adventure stories.
- Humor — The dialogue and character interactions contain comedic elements, particularly in the banter between the scientists and their reactions to the lizard-man.
Tags
Mystery · Romance · Suspense · Thriller · Detective · Fiction · Crime · Investigation · Murder · Whodunit · Classic · Vintage