<영어로 읽는 공상과학 소설 _ 프리츠 라이버의 시간여행과 시간전쟁>
"The Big Time"은 프리츠 라이버(Fritz Leiber)가 쓴 SF 소설로, 1958년에 처음 출판되었습니다. 이 책은 시간과 대체 현실을 넘나드는 갈등의 개념을 탐구하는 라이버의 "변화 전쟁(Change War)" 시리즈의 일부입니다.
'The Big Time'의 배경은 변화전쟁에 참여하는 군인들의 휴식 및 휴양지 역할을 하는 '장소'이다. 변화 전쟁은 서로 우위를 점하기 위해 역사와 대체 타임라인을 조작하는 두 세력, 거미와 뱀 사이의 갈등입니다. 소설은 그 장소에 주둔하는 군인 또는 "연예인"인 주인공 그레타가 다른 군인들과 교류하고 전쟁의 심리적 피해를 다루는 과정을 따릅니다.
이 소설은 시간 여행의 복잡성, 역사 변경의 윤리, 그리고 거대한 우주적 갈등 속에서 개인의 역할 등 다양한 주제를 탐구합니다.


"The Big Time" is a science fiction novel written by Fritz Leiber and first published in 1958. The book is part of Lieber's "Change War" series, which explores the concept of conflict across time and alternate realities.
The background of 'The Big Time' is a 'place' that serves as a rest and resort for soldiers participating in the war of change. The War of Change is a conflict between two factions, the Spider and the Snake, who manipulate history and alternate timelines to gain the upper hand on each other. The novel follows the protagonist Greta, a soldier or "celebrity" stationed at the location, as she interacts with other soldiers and deals with the psychological toll of war.
The novel explores a variety of topics, including the complexities of time travel, the ethics of altering history, and the role of individuals in a grand cosmic conflict.

Summary
You can't know there's a war on?for the Snakes coil and Spiders weave to keep you from knowing it's being fought over your live and dead body!

The main character, Greta Forzane, is an ‘entertainer’ who participates in a time war called ‘Big Time’. She belongs to the faction called ‘Spider’ and fights against an enemy called ‘Snake’.
The story mainly unfolds in a space outside of time called ‘place’. Here, Greta and other entertainers look after the 'soldiers' who have returned from the Time War.
The novel begins with three new soldiers arriving on location. Among these is a young British poet named Bruce Marchant, who questions the ethics and methods of the Time War. His complaints mainly relate to changing history.
Other characters, especially Sid and Beau, try to explain the complexities and necessity of the Time War to Bruce. They argue that the impact of changing history is more limited than thought.
Meanwhile, a new female entertainer, Lily, shows interest in Bruce, creating the potential for romance.

Contents

CHAPTER I. ENTER THREE HUSSARS
CHAPTER II. A RIGHT-HAND GLOVE
CHAPTER III. NINE FOR A PARTY
CHAPTER IV. SOS FROM NOWHERE
CHAPTER V. SID INSISTS ON GHOSTGIRLS
CHAPTER VI. CRETE CIRCA 1300 B.C.
CHAPTER VII. TIME TO THINK
CHAPTER VIII. A PLACE TO STAND
CHAPTER IX. A LOCKED ROOM
CHAPTER X. MOTIVES AND OPPORTUNITIES
CHAPTER XI. THE WESTERN FRONT, 1917
CHAPTER XII. A BIG OPPORTUNITY
CHAPTER XIII. THE TIGER IS LOOSE
CHAPTER XIV. "NOW WILL YOU TALK?"
CHAPTER XV. LORD SPIDER
CHAPTER XVI. THE POSSIBILITY-BINDERS