Science Fiction

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30947, 31 December 1965, Page 4

Science Fiction

The Reefs of Space. By Frederick Pohl and Jack Williamson. Dennis Dobson. 188 pp.

Sleeping Planet By William R. Burkett Jun. Gollancz. 297 pp.

The Old Die Rich. By H. L. Gold. Dennis Dobson. 250 pp.

The View From The Stars. By Walter M. Miller. Gollancz. 192 pp.

New Writings in 5.F.4. Edited by John Carnell. Dobson, London. 186 pp.

Spectrum IV. Edited by Kingsley Amis and Robert Conquest. Gollancz. 320 pp.

In “The Reefs of Space” Steve Ryeland, a “Risk” in the world of a few centuries to come, is obliged by the requirements of the “Plan of Man” to develop a jetless drive to enable the Plan to capture a rebel Earthling who escaped to the freedom of the remote Reefs of Space in preference to living a politically and culturally restricted life on Earth. The “Risk,” one who has about his neck an explosive collar which might at any moment be discharged according to the needs of the Plan, undergoes various imaginative vicissitudes including the nagging possibility that he may have been put together from bits and pieces from the Plan’s body bank. Before he finally succeeds there are many trials to overcome, trials instigated by the computer machine which governs every human action and to which all humans must pay homage. The story is imaginative and keeps the reader guessing until the end.

“The Sleeping Planet” deals with a worn theme—the invasion of Earth by an alien race. It is the 25th century and the Llralanian Empire drops a sleeping dust upon Earth to pacify the populace prior to invasion. Having been exposed to a certain influence, a handful of people prove to be immune, and the story revolves around the actions of these people and how they prey upon the invaders’ superstitions to defeat them. There is a good deal of violent action, well told, interspersed with some amusing situations, but it is remarkable that the story carries itself to its end without the appearance of the customary female. The plot does not tax the reader overmuch. indeed he might find it difficult at times to avoid the sleeping dust falling upon himself.

“The Old Die Rich," is a collection of short stories which range over the past, the present and the future and is just the thing for as a travel companion or for where recreational reading is required. The stories are well thought out, the characters are real and alive and frequently most amusing but some, like the Professor in “Problem in Murder" might be a little over-stated.

Walter Miller has not been as prolific as many other writers of science fiction, but he should need no introduction to addicts of the genre, two previous works. “The Darfsteller” and “A Canticle For Leibowitz,” each having been awarded “Hugos” (the “Oscars” of science fiction). In the nine stories in this volume, Mr Miller does not

restrict himself to any one theme. “You Triflin’ Skunk,” “The Will” and “Anybody Else Like Me?” each deals with contemporary life suddenly disrupted by the unknown. The masterful “The Big Hunter,” is a poignant tale of man’s eternal longing for ■the stars. In “Dumb Waiter,” Mr Miller gives fresh vitality to the popular theme of an age when man is no longer complete master of the machines he has built. One of the author’s primary concerns is human nature, and whether he is dealing with the present or the distant future, his observations are always discriminating and significant. Newcomers as well as regular readers of science fiction should enjoy this collection.

The fourth volume of ‘‘New Writings in 5.F.,” a series which includes stories not previously anthologised, and stories written especially for the series, does not reach a very high standard. Even Isaac Asimov, in “Star Light,” falls a little short of success, the climax lacking some of the force customarily found in Asimov’s writing. But there are compensations. David Stringer’s “High Eight” is a skilful, fast-moving thriller about an alien threat which comes from an unexpected source. John Carnell announces in his foreword that the selection leans a little more towards the humorous than usual, but one of the stories advanced as an example of science fiction in a lighter vein, Keith Roberts’s "Sub-Lim,” is anything but humorous. Although the narrative is superficially amusing, the theme is concerned with the terrifying possibilities of subliminal advertising. For those who demand science in their science fiction, Colin Kapp’s “Hunger Over Sweet Waters” ! will be welcome, but readers j without a knowledge of I chemistry may find some passages difficult. The demanding reader of science fiction may find this collection with the exception of a few stories, a little unrewarding.

The Spectrum series has achieved a considerable reputation fo the quality of its selections, and the fourth volume maintains the standard set by its predecessors. The anthology has much to recommend it —the quality of the stories, and the fact that Tew of them have been previously anthologised. Probably no other book would give a better indication of the present state and trends of science fiction than this one. The stories range from sociological through geological to the traditional adventure; and humour, pathos and tragedy are all present C. M. Kornbluth's “The Marching Morons” is an interesting and humorous account of the art and guile of a 20th century salesman in the world of the future, and contains a delightfully unexpected conclusion. In contrast to this is Cordwainer Smith’s macabre and terrifying tale, “A Planet Named Shayol.” This story illustrates the beneficial result of the absorption into science fiction of the mainstream horror story. Appended to the book is the text of a stimulating discussion by C. S. Lewie, Brian W. Aldiss and Kingsley Amis.