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Fantascience Digest, v. 2, issue 1, Novermber-December 1938

Page 16

Page 16 FANTASCIENCE DIGEST

seem to have slipped up. This story is by far the worst, written by them, that I can recall at the moment. When I turn to a story bearing the name Binder under the title, I have always expected and usually read a story that could be listed with the best efforts in the field -- but not this time. Better luck in the future E and O. This only rates an F plus.

The Black Flame by Stanley G. Weinbaum.
No protest, please. I always leave the longest and the best stories till last, and since I wrote this review as I went along, you must pardon my listing this story last. I consider this novel the greatest story that Weinbaum ever turned out. However, there are a few of his that I have not been able to obtain, so you must not take this rating as final.
Once again Weinbaum gives us personalities that have depth, and character. His creations have those little characteristics that are the difference between the unnatural puppets used by some authors and the thoroly [sic] human personalities that Weinbaum has always given us. It is a pity that a man who could write such great stories, who could create such magnificent personalities, should die at a time when every additional story that he wrote moved just that much higher on the scale of greatness that is used to measure the true worth of authors. I think that everone [sic] who has read the stories that this genius has written will agree that he has accomplished what others wish to do; to supply the characters in their stories with not only a semblance of life, but to actually make them live. You can usually recall to mind the personalities of Weinbaum's stories long after you have forgotten even the hack plots of some of the other stories that you have read. This story is one of about ten to which I have given an "R" rating. Since this is the highest rating I ever give to stories, you can judge for yourself how I liked "The Black Flame."

And thus ends the line-up for the newest scientifiction magazine on the market. They have started out quite high by printing that novel by Weinbaum, and I hope they can continue obtaining stories of as high a calibre.

ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, Nov. '38

When Dead Frogs Kick by John D. Buddhue.
Here we have a very interesting discussion on "Why metals are metals, and the why and wherefore of their properties." It is an excellent science article, and will appeal to those with some knowledge of chemistry and physics. It rates an E minus.

The Forgiveness of Tenehu Taen by Frederic Arnold Kummer, Jr.
You fellows who like three-sided love stories with a scientific setting will love this story. The betrayed husband, in this case, plans and executes a very unique revenge which settles things quite well. Kummer is a new author who is climbing fast. It rates a G.

Who Was Dilme Deni? by Rose Rosklynne.
Dilmo Deni sets forth some very good though-provoking ideas or theories in this yarn. It is a good story dealing with the powers of the mind in a sense that all one perceives is merely due to imagination or thought. It is a story that causes one to wonder. Rates G plus.

The Einstein Inshoot by Nelson S. Bond.
This is the funniest and best scientific sport story wince "The Educated Pill" by Bob Olsen way back in 1928. There is a good amount of humour in this story and that is not the best of it. If you do as I do when reading stories of this type you can really get a good laugh from the story. Carry it out from where the author leaves off, that is. It rates a G plus.
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Page 16 FANTASCIENCE DIGEST seem to have slipped up. This story is by far the worst, written by them, that I can recall at the moment. When I turn to a story bearing the name Binder under the title, I have always expected and usually read a story that could be listed with the best efforts in the field -- but not this time. Better luck in the future E and O. This only rates an F plus. The Black Flame by Stanley G. Weinbaum. No protest, please. I always leave the longest and the best stories till last, and since I wrote this review as I went along, you must pardon my listing this story last. I consider this novel the greatest story that Weinbaum ever turned out. However, there are a few of his that I have not been able to obtain, so you must not take this rating as final. Once again Weinbaum gives us personalities that have depth, and character. His creations have those little characteristics that are the difference between the unnatural puppets used by some authors and the thoroly [sic] human personalities that Weinbaum has always given us. It is a pity that a man who could write such great stories, who could create such magnificent personalities, should die at a time when every additional story that he wrote moved just that much higher on the scale of greatness that is used to measure the true worth of authors. I think that everone [sic] who has read the stories that this genius has written will agree that he has accomplished what others wish to do; to supply the characters in their stories with not only a semblance of life, but to actually make them live. You can usually recall to mind the personalities of Weinbaum's stories long after you have forgotten even the hack plots of some of the other stories that you have read. This story is one of about ten to which I have given an "R" rating. Since this is the highest rating I ever give to stories, you can judge for yourself how I liked "The Black Flame." And thus ends the line-up for the newest scientifiction magazine on the market. They have started out quite high by printing that novel by Weinbaum, and I hope they can continue obtaining stories of as high a calibre. ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION, Nov. '38 When Dead Frogs Kick by John D. Buddhue. Here we have a very interesting discussion on "Why metals are metals, and the why and wherefore of their properties." It is an excellent science article, and will appeal to those with some knowledge of chemistry and physics. It rates an E minus. The Forgiveness of Tenehu Taen by Frederic Arnold Kummer, Jr. You fellows who like three-sided love stories with a scientific setting will love this story. The betrayed husband, in this case, plans and executes a very unique revenge which settles things quite well. Kummer is a new author who is climbing fast. It rates a G. Who Was Dilme Deni? by Rose Rosklynne. Dilmo Deni sets forth some very good though-provoking ideas or theories in this yarn. It is a good story dealing with the powers of the mind in a sense that all one perceives is merely due to imagination or thought. It is a story that causes one to wonder. Rates G plus. The Einstein Inshoot by Nelson S. Bond. This is the funniest and best scientific sport story wince "The Educated Pill" by Bob Olsen way back in 1928. There is a good amount of humour in this story and that is not the best of it. If you do as I do when reading stories of this type you can really get a good laugh from the story. Carry it out from where the author leaves off, that is. It rates a G plus. (next page)