Zotz! (Magill’s Guide to Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature)
At a glance:
- Author: Walter Karig
- First Published: 1947
- Type of Work: Novel
- Type of Plot: Fantasy—cautionary
- Time of Work: Early in World War II, about 1942
- Setting: A small college town in Virginia
- Genres: Long fiction, Fantasy
- Subjects: Virginia, Extrasensory perception or powers, 1940’s, Cults, Talisman or magical object
- Locales: Virginia
The Plot
Linguistics professor John Jones leads the detached, bookish life of a bachelor at St. Jude’s Seminary until an ancient and mysterious medallion comes into his possession. As he attempts to translate it, he is given the power to paralyze or destroy any living thing. When he points his finger, his subject suffers sudden pain and paralysis. When he points and speaks the word “zotz,” the subject is reduced to ashes.
As Jones gradually learns the extent of his power, he worries that it may be the last vestige of an archaic, malevolent, and pagan cult. He keeps...
[The entire page is 1029 words long]
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