The Common Man by Mack Reynolds
In a future where the United States has been transformed into a totalitarian state, a group of rebels must navigate the complexities of their oppressive society to bring about change. The story follows a young man who becomes embroiled in the rebellion after witnessing a brutal suppression of dissent. He joins a small group of rebels who are determined to overthrow the government and restore freedom to the people. As they work together, the young man learns more about the true nature of their society and the extent of the government's control over its citizens. He also discovers that there are those within the system who may be willing to help them in their quest for change. The novel explores themes of oppression, rebellion, and the struggle for freedom, raising questions about the morality of violence as a means to achieve social change.
By Mack Reynolds · First published 1967 · Genre: Science Fiction, Social Commentary, Dystopian · 18,743 words
First lines
Frederick Braun, M. D., Ph. D., various other D.s, pushed his slightly crooked horn-rims back on his nose and looked up at the two-story wooden house. There was a small lawn before it, moderately cared for, and one tree. There was the usual porch furniture, and the house was going to need painting in another six months or so, but not quite yet. There was a three-year-old hover car parked at the curb of a make that anywhere else in the world but America would have been thought ostentatious in view of the seeming economic status of the householder.
What this Textopian page supports
The Common Man is listed on Textopian as a novel by Mack Reynolds, dated 1967 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Mack Reynolds
- Date: 1967 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Social Commentary, Dystopian, Adventure, Philosophical Fiction
- Length: 18,743 words
- Structure: 1 section, 479 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Common Man by Mack Reynolds
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
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Discussion starters
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- Where does Science Fiction first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- Subversive by Mack Reynolds
- Revolution by Mack Reynolds
- The Good Seed by Mack Reynolds
- The Wonder by J. D. Beresford
- When The Sleeper Wakes by H. G. Wells
- Freedom by Mack Reynolds
Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative explores futuristic concepts and societal structures, typical of the genre.
- Social Commentary — The themes address societal issues and the human condition, reflecting on the common man's experience.
- Dystopian — The setting often presents a flawed society, highlighting the struggles of individuals within it.
- Adventure — The plot includes elements of exploration and personal journeys, characteristic of adventure narratives.
Tags
Science Fiction · Utopian · Dystopian · Social Commentary · Politics · Sociology · Class Struggle · Egalitarianism · Communism · Anarchism · Revolution · Counter-Culture