The Crystal Circe

"The Crystal Circe" by Henry Kuttner is a science fiction story from the 1940s that tells of alien life and unhealthy fixation. It follows Steve Arnsen and Douglas O'Brien, who find a strange crystal from space, which pulls them into situations they can't even begin to understand and shows them a connection to a goddess called Circe. The story moves forward as Arnsen and O'Brien travel through space because O'Brien is so interested in the crystal and in finding a beautiful alien called Deirdre. As they’re traveling through space, O'Brien disappears when Circe enchants him, and Arnsen has to face the truth about what's going on and Circe's real self, as well as what the crystals really are. As the story ends, Arnsen deals with his own longing and the results of their trip, making a final choice on what will happen to him and Circe. Exploration, love, sacrifice, and supernaturalism are combined in this mysterious narrative.