Karl Grier

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

76603

Title

Karl Grier

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In Edward J. Clode's 1906 novel, a brilliant young physicist named Karl Grier possesses a mysterious 'sixth sense' allowing him to perceive distant events and influence matter through magnetic induction. When a vengeful associate attempts to murder him, the incident leads to a dramatic recovery and a reflection on the limits of science and the nature of human connection.

Summary up to 500 words

Louis Tracy's *Karl Grier* presents the extraordinary story of Karl Grier, a physically robust Oxford student endowed with a unique psychic ability he terms 'telegnomy.' Framed by a narrator who first met Karl's father in India and later reconnects with the son in London, the novel explores the intersection of scientific curiosity and spiritual mystery. Karl explains his power as akin to a high-voltage induction coil, allowing him to sense others and manipulate objects, such as levitating a poker with his mind alone. He describes his mind as an induction coil that emits a magnetic aura, capable of influencing the 'static electricity' or aura of others, effectively acting as a human telegraph wire. The narrative tension builds toward a dramatic confrontation in a London restaurant. Karl's associate, Constantine, is attacked by a man named Steindal, who is driven by a sudden, inexplicable rage. In a fit of madness, Steindal smashes a champagne bottle over Karl's head. The injury is severe, causing a skull fracture and near-fatal brain compression. However, the shattering of the bottle saves Karl from immediate death; had the glass remained intact, the blow would have been fatal. Steindal, overcome by a demoniacal fury, flees the scene and is later involved in a chaotic escape involving a runaway horse. While recovering, Karl's fiancée, Maggie Hutchinson, visits him. Despite the narrator's fears that her presence might trigger another psychic catastrophe, Karl regains consciousness and expresses his desire for her to stay. The novel delves into the burden of unique abilities and the resilience of the human spirit. Ultimately, Karl chooses to live a normal life with his wife and children, refusing to risk his faculties again. The surgeon notes that the fracture caused a lesion to the cerebral lobes responsible for these functions, and Karl has unhesitatingly declined to attempt to recover them. The story concludes with Karl content in his domestic life, having admitted he is still aware of tidal influences but unwilling to tempt the fates once more, while the narrator documents the strange but fascinating phenomena of this 'sixth sense.'

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Psychology
• Fiction