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Tympani, v. 1, issue 18, December 29, 1947
Page 4
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The Fantasy Bookshelf A PLEASANT EVENING IN GOOD COMPANY -- THAT'S OF WORLDS BEYOND! A review by Stanley Mullen ONE OF THE SURPRISES of the Philcon, appearing without any fanfare or advance publicity, was Of Worlds Beyond, a symposium of brief essays on the writing of science fiction, published by Fantasy Press at $2. It is a slim violume of 96 pages, competently edited by Lloyd Arthur Escbach (the publisher, who is also a writer of distinction), and contains the mature opinions of seven writers, each of whom is a leader in his field. Every phase of the science fiction story is covered by one or another of the contributors, and biographical notes on each writer (with a photograph) precedes each of the articles. This symposium is obviously not intended merely as a textbook for the writer who aspires to science fiction writing, As far as any writing-aids are concerned, most writers or hopeful aspirants have already learned or failed to learn them. My belief is that the book will delight any reader of science fiction more than it will aid a writer of such material. The general effect of the book is that of a pleasant evening spent in unusually good copany, with each member of a group of powerful and highly individual personalities allowed to cuss and discuss his craft without interruption. Speaking for myself, I enjoyed the brief introductory notes concerning the various contributors at least as much as I did the rest of the book. However, seven essays by writers qualified to speak with more than casual authority are not to be ignored. Every one of the articles is good reading, entertaining, clearly stated and competently worked-out; they appear to be the result of mature consideration, not hastily put together for an occasion. The first essay, by Robert Heinlein, takes up the initial problem: what constitutes science fiction and how, in subject matter, treatment, and "plot", is it distinct from any other form of fiction? Heinlein's analyses are more particular than general and never descend into the vaguely plausible abstractions so common in studies of this kind. A longer and more detailed work of the same nature would be welcome, but as far as it goes, this is both sound and stimulating. To my surprise, I found the second essay, by John Taine (Eric Temple Bell) the most interesting of the group. With refreshing frankness and blunt honesty, Taine pierces directly into the major problem of all science fiction writing: namely, where and how to find suitable material on which to base sound science fiction. Ordinarily in the past, any kind of prophetic science background would go, but nowadays, with fact pressing so close upon the heels of prophecy, the writer must keep on his toes to avoid the triteness of current history. Jack Williamson's contribution concerns itself with the logic of the science fiction story, more particularly that type of story which concentrates upon action. The action story set in a scientific background (commonly called "space opera") has fallen into current dis- - 4 -
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The Fantasy Bookshelf A PLEASANT EVENING IN GOOD COMPANY -- THAT'S OF WORLDS BEYOND! A review by Stanley Mullen ONE OF THE SURPRISES of the Philcon, appearing without any fanfare or advance publicity, was Of Worlds Beyond, a symposium of brief essays on the writing of science fiction, published by Fantasy Press at $2. It is a slim violume of 96 pages, competently edited by Lloyd Arthur Escbach (the publisher, who is also a writer of distinction), and contains the mature opinions of seven writers, each of whom is a leader in his field. Every phase of the science fiction story is covered by one or another of the contributors, and biographical notes on each writer (with a photograph) precedes each of the articles. This symposium is obviously not intended merely as a textbook for the writer who aspires to science fiction writing, As far as any writing-aids are concerned, most writers or hopeful aspirants have already learned or failed to learn them. My belief is that the book will delight any reader of science fiction more than it will aid a writer of such material. The general effect of the book is that of a pleasant evening spent in unusually good copany, with each member of a group of powerful and highly individual personalities allowed to cuss and discuss his craft without interruption. Speaking for myself, I enjoyed the brief introductory notes concerning the various contributors at least as much as I did the rest of the book. However, seven essays by writers qualified to speak with more than casual authority are not to be ignored. Every one of the articles is good reading, entertaining, clearly stated and competently worked-out; they appear to be the result of mature consideration, not hastily put together for an occasion. The first essay, by Robert Heinlein, takes up the initial problem: what constitutes science fiction and how, in subject matter, treatment, and "plot", is it distinct from any other form of fiction? Heinlein's analyses are more particular than general and never descend into the vaguely plausible abstractions so common in studies of this kind. A longer and more detailed work of the same nature would be welcome, but as far as it goes, this is both sound and stimulating. To my surprise, I found the second essay, by John Taine (Eric Temple Bell) the most interesting of the group. With refreshing frankness and blunt honesty, Taine pierces directly into the major problem of all science fiction writing: namely, where and how to find suitable material on which to base sound science fiction. Ordinarily in the past, any kind of prophetic science background would go, but nowadays, with fact pressing so close upon the heels of prophecy, the writer must keep on his toes to avoid the triteness of current history. Jack Williamson's contribution concerns itself with the logic of the science fiction story, more particularly that type of story which concentrates upon action. The action story set in a scientific background (commonly called "space opera") has fallen into current dis- - 4 -
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