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Diablerie, v. 1, issue 1, January 1944
Page 19
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diablerie be, hangs. Nor is this to criticize the idea story-for, in science fiction at least, almost any story is an idea story. But Campbell himself has said (Astounding, September 1939) : "It isn't alone-or even largely-the great idea that makes a story; its forceful presentation of that thought makes it live for the reader, and that de-pends upon methods of presentation, skill in handling of material, on the logical clear organization of the material." Van Vogt might well note the last. For there is his first great fault-or at least has been since Slan. There, paradoxically, was the ultimate in careful organiza-tion, in striking constriction. If one were to prepare a careful outline of both Slan, if not more, as in his later novel. Van Vogt is just trying to put into mass production things of a weight that will not permit production on a rapid scale. Material of the gravity which he conceives cannot be thrown together, as Van Vogt is evidently handling it. But perhaps Van Vogt should not receive all the blame. The magazine for which he writes must be filled every month, and good authors are worth their wight in gold nowadays. Possibly Astounding is asking too much of Van Vogt-as much, in deed, as from Heinlein. (In the latter case it work; Heinlein was the type of writer, and handles the type of material-albeit excellent-that permitted rap-id production. But Van Vogt's case is different; he throws, through natural tend-ency a host of thoughts and ideas into one story-the whole being the sum of the parts. Heinlein's ideas were more specific and universal, thus allowing in-individual development. ) Truly, the promise of Slan has remained unfulfilled. But through all the thou-sands of words that have flowed from Van Vogt's pen since the immortal ":-my daughter" the same style, the same sense of suspense and of the dramatic, the same insight into human character and into alien thought has remained. Van Vogt may never write another story as great as his first five-but they stand, immut-able. the end Cartoons crowded out this issue because of a lack of space will be printed in di-ablerie #2. Bear with us, for the next issue will present a radical change in format, together with the addition of ten extra pages with which we hope to widen out scope. Lead short story second issue: The Barrier, by Eddie Clinton. We have the first draft of an article that may turn into something: Lies There A Country...by Bill Watson. Lou Goldstone, though quite free-lancing, hes vaguely promised us a lithographic pictorial. We make no promises, but... "One never knows, does one?" Ta-ta, and please don't forget to write us. Those letters believe it or not, mean a helluva lot to us. Your advice and ideas mould this mag azine. Next issue out May 15th... maybe sooner!
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diablerie be, hangs. Nor is this to criticize the idea story-for, in science fiction at least, almost any story is an idea story. But Campbell himself has said (Astounding, September 1939) : "It isn't alone-or even largely-the great idea that makes a story; its forceful presentation of that thought makes it live for the reader, and that de-pends upon methods of presentation, skill in handling of material, on the logical clear organization of the material." Van Vogt might well note the last. For there is his first great fault-or at least has been since Slan. There, paradoxically, was the ultimate in careful organiza-tion, in striking constriction. If one were to prepare a careful outline of both Slan, if not more, as in his later novel. Van Vogt is just trying to put into mass production things of a weight that will not permit production on a rapid scale. Material of the gravity which he conceives cannot be thrown together, as Van Vogt is evidently handling it. But perhaps Van Vogt should not receive all the blame. The magazine for which he writes must be filled every month, and good authors are worth their wight in gold nowadays. Possibly Astounding is asking too much of Van Vogt-as much, in deed, as from Heinlein. (In the latter case it work; Heinlein was the type of writer, and handles the type of material-albeit excellent-that permitted rap-id production. But Van Vogt's case is different; he throws, through natural tend-ency a host of thoughts and ideas into one story-the whole being the sum of the parts. Heinlein's ideas were more specific and universal, thus allowing in-individual development. ) Truly, the promise of Slan has remained unfulfilled. But through all the thou-sands of words that have flowed from Van Vogt's pen since the immortal ":-my daughter" the same style, the same sense of suspense and of the dramatic, the same insight into human character and into alien thought has remained. Van Vogt may never write another story as great as his first five-but they stand, immut-able. the end Cartoons crowded out this issue because of a lack of space will be printed in di-ablerie #2. Bear with us, for the next issue will present a radical change in format, together with the addition of ten extra pages with which we hope to widen out scope. Lead short story second issue: The Barrier, by Eddie Clinton. We have the first draft of an article that may turn into something: Lies There A Country...by Bill Watson. Lou Goldstone, though quite free-lancing, hes vaguely promised us a lithographic pictorial. We make no promises, but... "One never knows, does one?" Ta-ta, and please don't forget to write us. Those letters believe it or not, mean a helluva lot to us. Your advice and ideas mould this mag azine. Next issue out May 15th... maybe sooner!
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