World Without Glamor

"World Without Glamor" by Milton Lesser is a science fiction novel written during the early 1950s. The story explores the dynamic between colonists living on the distant planet Talbor and the arrival of Earth tourists, focusing on the contrasts in lifestyle and perception between the two groups. It delves into themes of love, societal expectations, and the inherent value of one's own culture amidst external influences. The narrative follows Harry Marsden, a farmer on Talbor, who is excited about the arrival of a spaceship from Earth, eager to see the women he has only dreamt about. His longing creates tension in his marriage with Marie, who feels insecure and resentful about the Earth women’s perceived beauty and sophistication. As the story unfolds, Marsden interacts with Alice Cooper, a tourist who embodies the elegance of Earth, revealing the fragile complexities of identity and self-worth. However, the experience ultimately leads to a realization for Marsden about the beauty of his own life on Talbor, and he embraces the value of his home and wife over any fleeting fantasies of glamour. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Stephen Marlowe was an American author of science fiction, mystery novels, and fictional autobiographies of Goya, Christopher Columbus, Miguel de Cervantes, and Edgar Allan Poe. He is best known for his detective character Chester Drum, whom he created for the 1955 novel The Second Longest Night. Lesser also wrote using the pseudonyms Adam Chase, Andrew Frazer, C.H. Thames, Jason Ridgway, Stephen Wilder, and Ellery Queen.