If I Were You

by L. Ron Hubbard

Overview

Does size matter? Is bigger better? That’s no small question to Tom Little—the circus midget with giant dreams.
Tom may be king of the midgets, but he’s got far grander ambitions—to become the muscleman at the top, the ringmaster. Now, drawing on some dark ancient secrets and mystic texts, he’s about to get his wish....
Assuming another man’s identity, Tom discovers he must also take on his sins, debts, and enemies. He may be living large—but now there are those who want to make him pay for the big man’s sins.
Also includes “The Last Drop,” an astounding tale of a New York bartender who mixes some very magical drinks—to amazing effect.
The circus is coming to town, as If I Were You puts you in the center ring of the magic, mystery, and madness.
“Unexpected twists ... keep you guessing as to what will happen next.” —SFsite.com

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781592125760
Publisher:	Galaxy Press, LLC
Publication date:	09/08/2008
Series:	Science Fiction & Fantasy Short Stories Collection
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	121
Lexile:	900L (what's this?)
File size:	1 MB
Age Range:	11 Years

About the Author

With 19 New York Times bestsellers and more than 350 million copies of his works in circulation, L. Ron Hubbard is among the most acclaimed and widely read authors of our time. As a leading light of American Pulp Fiction through the 1930s and '40s, he is further among the most influential authors of the modern age. Indeed, from Ray Bradbury to Stephen King, there is scarcely a master of imaginative tales who has not paid tribute to L. Ron Hubbard.

Read an Excerpt

“You are wondering,” said the Professor, “why I have sent for you.” His voice was very low and Little Tom had to put his ear close to the evil-smelling lips. “In your mind,” said the Professor, “you are turning over the reasons for this. I must put you at ease, for I have always respected you.”

Little Tom was startled.

“Yes,” said the Professor, “I have seen much to admire in you. On the lot about me, men are afraid. They spread away from me when I approach. But you . . . you were brave, Tom Little. You did not cower away. You had steel enough in you not only to meet me and speak to me, but you also had courage enough to risk my wrath—a thing which all other men feared.”

—L. Ron Hubbard

Editorial Reviews

Hubbard's 1940 fantasy tale centers on a circus dwarf named Little Tom Little who becomes obsessed with the idea of swapping bodies with the circus's larger-than-life chief. This fantastic production features a large supporting cast of readers, sound effects and a variety of brilliant voices provided by The Simpsons' Nancy Cartwright. The only downside is that Little Tom Little bears a striking resemblance to Bart Simpson, so much so that the entire story is jeopardized because audiences will be hard pressed not to see a Simpsons episode playing out in their minds. As talented as Cartwright is, especially in voicing child characters, one would have expected her to come up with a more original voice. A Galaxy Press paperback.(Sept.)

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Publishers Weekly

Hubbard wrote a ton of pulp stories in every genre during the 1930s and 1940s. Galaxy is reissuing all of them in paperback-80 books in all (told you it was a ton). Each book features a killer pulp cover along with other illustrations, a glossary (parts of a ship for the briny swashbucklers, etc.), and background on the author.

—Michael Rogers

Library Journal

Gr 7 Up—Two stories from the Golden Age by L. Ron Hubbard are featured here: If I Were You (approx. 95 min.), and The Last Drop (approx. 30 min.). In If I Were You, Little Tom Little hates being a midget, along with his accompanying feelings of invisibility and powerlessness. He inherits an ancient set of books from an evil, dying professor containing the secret of switching bodies. Tom believes he has found the answer to his dream of becoming a visible, all-powerful circus ringmaster. He learns to migrate between bodies, and does so several times, encountering numerous dire situations. This is ultimately a tale about being careful about what you wish for. A concoction sent from Borneo that, when imbibed, causes drinkers to swell up in size, is the focus of the second equally fantastic story. The antidote causes the opposite effect. What makes these completely unbelievable stories so wonderfully entertaining is the excellent audio quality, the cast of talented performers, great sound effects (growling lions and tigers, murmuring crowds, etc.), and intervals of dramatic, ominous music that draws listeners into the tales and holds their attention to the end.—Mary Oluonye, Shaker Heights Public Library, OH

School Library Journal

 
“Hubbard’s 1940 fantasy tale centers on a circus dwarf named Little Tom Little who becomes obsessed with the idea of swapping bodies with the circus’s larger-than-life chief. This fantastic production features a large supporting cast of readers, sound effects and a variety of brilliant voices.” —Publishers Weekly

"L. Ron Hubbard wrote some of the most gripping and imaginative fantasy stories of the Golden Age of pulps—Hubbard’s work has influenced generations of writers, and his stories are as lively and startling as anything being written today.” —Tim Powers

“A master of the fast-action short story.” —Robert A. Heinlein

From the Publisher

A circus midget is both the hero and the villain of L. Ron Hubbard's imaginative story "If I Were You." In the spirit of the fiction that appeared in 1930s’ pulp magazines, the bizarre story is made better through the talents of the narrators, including the voice of Bart Simpson, Nancy Cartwright. She's aided by a full cast, including Lynsey Bartilson, Corey Burton, and a host of others who recreate the backstage of a seedy circus. Roaring lions, cracking whips, screaming victims, and a full musical score bring this odd adventure to life when the midget discovers he has the ability to switch minds with the handsome lion tamer. He's so happy at reaching his life's desire that he doesn’t realize the blessing is a curse. M.S. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine

OCT/NOV 08 - AudioFile