The Lost Ego by Robert Silverberg
A man awakens in a lab, disoriented and unable to recall his identity, finding himself in a strange living room with a woman who claims to be his wife. He experiences a profound sense of detachment, believing he is someone named Fred Martin, yet discovers identification indicating he is Orville Snyder. Confused, he grapples with the reality of his existence, oscillating between memories of Fred and the identity of Orville. As he navigates this duality, he realizes he has no memories of his own, only fragments belonging to Fred and Orville. He attempts to piece together his identity while confronting the possibility that he may have committed a crime, specifically the murder of Orville's wife. The narrative unfolds as he struggles with the implications of his fragmented identities, leading him to a confrontation with Orville, who reveals his own troubled past and the reasons behind his identity theft. The protagonist's journey culminates in a moment of clarity where he recognizes that he is not just a collection of memories but possesses a unique consciousness. He ultimately decides to embrace his identity as Fred Martin while acknowledging the existence of Orville and David Thordsen, another identity he has assumed. The story explores themes of identity, memory, and the nature of self, culminating in the protagonist's determination to create a robot, symbolizing his quest for autonomy and self-definition amidst the chaos of his fragmented existence.
By Robert Silverberg · First published 1990 · Genre: Science Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Mystery · 11,928 words
First lines
He knew he existed -- even to the point of knowing his own name. But to really exist you have to have a body -- and he couldn't find his!
"So what if I did spend this week's household allowance getting drunk last night!"
What this Textopian page supports
The Lost Ego is listed on Textopian as a novel by Robert Silverberg, dated 1990 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Novel
- Author: Robert Silverberg
- Date: 1990 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Science Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Mystery, Fantasy, Drama
- Length: 11,928 words
- Structure: 1 section, 296 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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Genres
- Science Fiction — The narrative explores themes of identity, consciousness, and the nature of existence, typical of speculative fiction.
- Psychological Thriller — The protagonist experiences a psychological crisis involving multiple identities and the implications of memory and reality.
- Mystery — The plot revolves around the mystery of the protagonist's identity and the circumstances surrounding his existence.
- Fantasy — Elements of transformation and alternate realities are present, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy.
Tags
science fiction · psychology · identity · existentialism · memory · human experience · technology · philosophy · self-discovery · narrative · dystopia · consciousness