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1949 - Year in SF&F: Reviews



THE WONDER TIMELINE: SF&F RETROSPECTIVE
Read other issues here

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Leigh Brackett
"The Lake of the Gone Forever"

© Thrilling Wonder Stories, Oct 1949
The Halfling and Other Stories, 1973
--/ third place space sf novella
--/ wonder award
--/ adventure award
--/ style award

I love colorful planetary adventures, and Leigh Brackett was the foremost provider of such outings back in the 1940s-1950s; however all too often these stories seemed to have the flavour of Edgar Rice Burroughs or steeped in some steamy sword-n-sorcery. I particularly speak of her Mars & Venus series, which (as exotic as they admittedly are) cannot provide true alien environment experience and only would massage your romantic adventure nerve -

So... come to the "Brackett's SF Parlor" for some fictional spa work: rejuvenate your sense of outre, tickle your "hot" points of grotesque and sojourn in a land of perfect male heroes and super-sensuous females... for a while. No regrets, too - you know, it is good for you.

All that being said, this novella differs from the usual vein: it has a significantly more interesting planetary ecology, more realistic adventures and a toned-down plot (rooted in the way people actually behave). Thus, it reminds me more of Edmond Hamilton fiction (maybe he played a hand in this, you never know with such husband-wife writing teams) "The Lake of Gone Forever" is one of the most visually exciting pieces that Brackett ever wrote: much of it is placed among understated Antarctic-like landscapes, but there is no lack of cool alien stuff, either: mysterious cities, weird alien legends and serene warriors skillfully scattered throughout the plot.

Essentially, this is a story of a haunted man, wandering the streets of a strange city, love-struck or love-doomed (depending on the emotional stance you're in). Brackett always wrote best about the "lone ranger" characters; here, too, she transcends the simple pulp approach, giving it a noir, foreboding air - all among the stunning planetary landscapes and sizzling adventure. What more could you possibly ask for a dark misty evening with a book in one hand and spiced rum in another? One word - "Intense".

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Leigh Brackett
"Quest Of The Starhope"
© Thrilling Wonder Stories, Apr 1949
--/ THIRD place space sf story
--/ wonder award
--/ adventure award
--/ emotion award
--/ style award
--/ shock value
--/ rare find


One of the most treasured finds: a supreme quality planetary story by Brackett (with "Star Wars" feel written all over it) which was never reprinted!! (outside of recent Haffner Press limited-run hardcover edition). In other words, this is as rare as they come - and unbelievably delicious! Full-on poetry of mystical landscapes, larger than life conflicts and characters and even kawaii-cute lovable sidekick (with ESP powers, a lovesick alien). The brutal and greedy alien zoo hunter guy is perhaps too bloodthirsty, but all this plays out against Western-Gold-Rush-like exploitation of the Noble Natives, so such conflicts I'm sure existed in our past - now transported into shocking planetary adventure, as human nature basically remains the same. The ephemeral winged people are gorgeous and the whole ending is totally poetic. Bravo!
review: 06-Mar-21 (read in 2021)

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Leigh Brackett
"The Sword of Rhiannon" (nv)
(also as "Sea-Kings of Mars")
© Thrilling Wonder Stories, Jun 1949
novel: Ace Double, 1959
--/ cool space sf novel
--/ wonder award
--/ style award


There is a sense of lost empires and beauty, the sense of bitter-sweet world, much like Bradbury's Mars, but with sword-and-sorcery elements. I enjoyed this colorful concoction, even though I do not remember the details of the plot. Very well crafted tale.
review: 07-Jul-06 (read in 1995)


"Expentante", Painting by Jorge de Oliveira (1949)

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Raymond Z.Gallun
"Operation Pumice"
© Thrilling Wonder Stories, Apr 1949
--/ fourth place space sf story
--/ wonder award
--/ emotion award
--/ style award
--/ rare find


Great lyrical, stylishly written piece about "fulfillment of dreams (reality) vs. actual enjoyment of these dreams (enthusiasm)" - a sort of the time mismatch, which happens constantly in our lives. Also includes (relevant for 1949, especially) Cold War sentiments on viability of scientific progress if it's going to lead to further alienation of nations and possible nuclear cataclysm. This pessimism is countered by the youthful optimism and "sound and fair" thinking of younger generation - and their shining "sense of wonder" ("Tomorrowland" sort of excitement over the future). Plus great space flight prose and (barely mentioned) idea about concave surface of the Dark Side of the Moon harboring a pocket of atmosphere and a lush life.

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Chester S. Geier
"The Beacons Must Burn"
(as by Warren Kastel)
© Fantastic Adventures, Oct 1949
--/ fourth place space sf story
--/ wonder award
--/ adventure award
--/ rare find


This is great entertainment: romance of a lone beacon watch on a godforsaken planet, mean tentacled aliens, Space Rangers vs. Space Pirates secondary plot (though this sub-plot is not developed, the characters of space cops are memorable nonetheless), mighty weapons and a "Die Hard" sort of desperate explosive action at the end. Perfectly pulpy, and perfectly awesome in its unashamedly predictable way. So far this is the best story by Chester S. Geier that I've read.



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Margaret St. Clair
"The Hierophants"
© 1949, Thrilling Wonder Stories, April
The Hole In The Moon, 2019
--/ THIRD place space sf story
--/ wonder award
--/ adventure award
--/ idea award
--/ style award
--/ romance award
--/ emotion award
--/ rare find

Quite a magical space adventure tale, such a shame that it was only reprinted once, in 2019! I found quite a few parallels with a similarly enchanting short story (much later) by Roger Zelazny "The Man Who Loved The Faioli" (1967).

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"SF&F Reading Experience" is part of "Dark Roasted Blend / Thrilling Wonder" family of sites. We try to highlight the most entertaining and rewarding science fiction and fantasy, with emphasis on memorable reader experience, not necessarily general acceptance by the critics. Have fun, and delve into our extensive ratings and reviews!

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