Maurice Renard

Cette histoire extraordinaire commence très ordinairement.À la fin du mois de septembre 1929, le jeune historien Charles Christiani résolut d’aller passer quelques jours à La Rochelle. Spécialisé dan

Stéphen Orlac, virtuós del piano famós a tot el món, veu la seva vida i carrera truncades per culpa d’un greu accident on perd l’ús de les mans. Tot sembla arreglar-se quan el doctor Cerral s’ofereix

Maurice Renards "New Bodies for Old" delves into the intersection of technology and humanity, exploring the implications of scientific advancements on individual identity and society. Encompassing elements of science fiction and philosophical discourse, the narrative presents a thought-provoking examination of the human condition through the lens of body modification and transference. Renards prose is both lyrical and precise, reflecting the anxieties of a world grappling with rapid technological change in the early 20th century, situated within the broader context of French literature which was increasingly exploring dystopian and speculative themes in a post-war era. Renard, a noted figure in early French science fiction, often grappled with the transformative potential of scientific discovery, which is evident in his personal background in literature and mechanical engineering. His fascination with the implications of bodily autonomy, coupled with the philosophical inquiries into what constitutes a self, informs his narrative style and thematic concerns. These elements demonstrate his ability to merge imaginative storytelling with critical reflections on contemporary societal issues. "New Bodies for Old" is highly recommended for readers interested in the nuances of human identity amidst technological evolution. This compelling and reflective novel challenges readers to contemplate their own relationship with progress and the ethical underpinnings of scientific innovation, making it a timeless read for both enthusiasts of speculative fiction and philosophy.

Maurice Renards little known but delightfully bizarre tale of mad science run amok owes much to H. G. Wells The Island of Dr. Moreau while also forging its own path by taking Wells plot as a starting point and pushing it to ridiculous extremes. When a young man named Nicholas goes to visit his beloved scientist uncle Dr. Lerne in a remote French chateau, he is immediately put on his guard by his uncles strange behavior, the mysterious Germans who now work with his uncle in a secret laboratory on the premises, on the strange noises he hears in the night... But Nicholas desire to discover what his uncles secret experiments are truly all about coupled with his strong desire for the young woman Emma who is staying with his uncle may soon find Nicholas in a greater peril that he ever possibly could have dreamed.

Durante su viaje de regreso a París, el mundialmente reconocido pianista Stéphen Orlac sufre un terrible accidente ferroviario en el que pierde su don más preciado: las dos manos. Será el controvertido doctor Cerral heroe de los pioneros trasplantes en heridos de la Primera Guerra Mundial el encargado de practicar una arriesgada cirugia en la que se le injertaran al virtuoso musico las manos de un hombre recien fallecido. Y si bien en un primer momento la operacion se revela como todo un exito, Orlac no tardara en verse dominado por unos extraños y terribles impulsos: esas manos que ahora ocupan el lugar de las suyas estan manchadas de sangre, son las de un convicto ejecutado por asesinato...Rara vez el horror, la ciencia ficcion y la novela policiaca se han aliado con tanta fuerza y originalidad como en la inquietante historia que plantea Las manos de Orlac, obra maestra de grand guignol donde resuenan poderosamente los ecos de Poe, Stevenson y H. G. Wells.

Durante su viaje de regreso a París, el mundialmente reconocido pianista Stéphen Orlac sufre un terrible accidente ferroviario en el que pierde su don más preciado: las dos manos. Será el controvertido doctor Cerral ;heroe de los pioneros trasplantes en heridos de la Primera Guerra Mundial; el encargado de practicar una arriesgada cirugia en la que se le injertaran al virtuoso musico las manos de un hombre recien fallecido. Y si bien en un primer momento la operacion se revela como todo un exito, Orlac no tardara en verse dominado por unos extraños y terribles impulsos: esas manos que ahora ocupan el lugar de las suyas estan manchadas de sangre, son las de un convicto ejecutado por asesinato...Rara vez el horror, la ciencia ficcion y la novela policiaca se han aliado con tanta fuerza y originalidad como en la inquietante historia que plantea Las manos de Orlac, obra maestra de grand guignol donde resuenan poderosamente los ecos de Poe, Stevenson y H. G. Wells.