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Spacewarp, v. 5, issue 2, whole no. 26, May 1949
Page 7
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Book Review Eric Frank Russell's "Sinister Barrier" reviewed by T.E.WATKINS 1605 Wood Avenue Kansas City 2, Kansas Charles Fort said, "I think we're property," and that is what "Sinister Barrier," by Eric Frank Russell, is about. A scientist treats his eyes with a chemical compound that permits him to see a wider range of light rays. In doing so, he discovers the invisible owners of the human race -- the cosmic farmers that treat us like so many cows. This discovery is the scientist's death warrant. Other's however, have been let in on the deal, and the resulting conflict is as bloody and fascinating as any these eyes have ever seen. This story has one of the most subtle and logical menaces to the human race that anyone has cooked up in a long time. It has one of those indestructable Russell heroes who travels from one crisis to another in bewildering fashion. He exists without food or sleep. He rests not. On and on he goes to that last crisis, a dilemma from which it seems he cannot escape. Not only is the hero in a jam, but the fate of the whole human race hangs in the balance! It is the type of stuff that glues you to that chair, pops the eyes right out of your head, and brings the sweat out under the armpits. The book has that Russell whirr -- you can't lay it down. "Sinister Barrier" is a reprint of one of those fabulous yarns that made Street and Smith's "Unknown" a delight to fantasy fans. It has been improved and enlarged for book publication. Fantasy Press has issued a limited number of copies and they sell for $3.00. The print is easy to read, the inside illustrations are by Edd Cartier and the attractive cover jacket is by Donnell. The factor that makes this story one of the most compelling stf yarns ever written is the devilish logic with which the menace to the human race is evolved. Charles Fort collected a mass of data on unusual events such as mysterious lights, falling objects, fire balls, wild talents; all of which science cannot explain by application of natural law. Fort wrote four books in which he gave his evidence, and after his death the Fortean Society carries on the work. Both Fort and the Society have been rather unsuccessful in jolting the scientific mind out of its habitual "delusions." In recent months, however, certain events such as the flying discs have been given wide newspaper coverage and have brought the theories of Charles Fort to the attention of a great many individuals. "Sinister Barrier" wraps up all the mysterious lights, falling objects, wild talents, and even the human capacity for war in one bundle and gives it a logical explanation. No one contends that it is the right explanation, not even Mr. Russell. But it certainly is logical, and if you read the story, the next time you get a little shiver up your back bone, the kind of shiver that has caused you to say in the past, "someone is walking on my grave," I can guarantee that you will not pass off your backbone callisthenics so lightly. You might even turn a little pale and whisper, "Gad, I've just been milked!" - END -
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Book Review Eric Frank Russell's "Sinister Barrier" reviewed by T.E.WATKINS 1605 Wood Avenue Kansas City 2, Kansas Charles Fort said, "I think we're property," and that is what "Sinister Barrier," by Eric Frank Russell, is about. A scientist treats his eyes with a chemical compound that permits him to see a wider range of light rays. In doing so, he discovers the invisible owners of the human race -- the cosmic farmers that treat us like so many cows. This discovery is the scientist's death warrant. Other's however, have been let in on the deal, and the resulting conflict is as bloody and fascinating as any these eyes have ever seen. This story has one of the most subtle and logical menaces to the human race that anyone has cooked up in a long time. It has one of those indestructable Russell heroes who travels from one crisis to another in bewildering fashion. He exists without food or sleep. He rests not. On and on he goes to that last crisis, a dilemma from which it seems he cannot escape. Not only is the hero in a jam, but the fate of the whole human race hangs in the balance! It is the type of stuff that glues you to that chair, pops the eyes right out of your head, and brings the sweat out under the armpits. The book has that Russell whirr -- you can't lay it down. "Sinister Barrier" is a reprint of one of those fabulous yarns that made Street and Smith's "Unknown" a delight to fantasy fans. It has been improved and enlarged for book publication. Fantasy Press has issued a limited number of copies and they sell for $3.00. The print is easy to read, the inside illustrations are by Edd Cartier and the attractive cover jacket is by Donnell. The factor that makes this story one of the most compelling stf yarns ever written is the devilish logic with which the menace to the human race is evolved. Charles Fort collected a mass of data on unusual events such as mysterious lights, falling objects, fire balls, wild talents; all of which science cannot explain by application of natural law. Fort wrote four books in which he gave his evidence, and after his death the Fortean Society carries on the work. Both Fort and the Society have been rather unsuccessful in jolting the scientific mind out of its habitual "delusions." In recent months, however, certain events such as the flying discs have been given wide newspaper coverage and have brought the theories of Charles Fort to the attention of a great many individuals. "Sinister Barrier" wraps up all the mysterious lights, falling objects, wild talents, and even the human capacity for war in one bundle and gives it a logical explanation. No one contends that it is the right explanation, not even Mr. Russell. But it certainly is logical, and if you read the story, the next time you get a little shiver up your back bone, the kind of shiver that has caused you to say in the past, "someone is walking on my grave," I can guarantee that you will not pass off your backbone callisthenics so lightly. You might even turn a little pale and whisper, "Gad, I've just been milked!" - END -
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