Thu 1 Apr 2021
Diary Review: GALAXY SCIENCE FICTION December 1966.
Posted by Steve under Diary Reviews , Magazines , Science Fiction & Fantasy[3] Comments
GALAXY SCIENCE FICTION. December 1966. Overall rating: 4 stars. Editor: Frederik Pohl. Cover by Wenzel. The full text is available at The Internet Archive.
POUL ANDERSON “Door to Anywhere.†Novelette. A senator goes to Mars to investigate an accident involving an experiment with jumpgates, which allow men to cross between any two points in the universe. High-powered physics and cosmology. (4)
JOHN BRUNNER “Children in Hiding.†A colony of Earth has a problem with children who d not develop properly. A shocking ending. (4)
HAYDEN HOWARD “The Modern Penitentiary.†Novelette. Dr. West is convicted of attempted genocide of the Esks, and is sent to New Ottawa Reformation Center, where enlightened practices of rehabilitation, including sex, are used. The scene with Noma in the cell demonstrates that an effective writer need not always be explicit. (5)
LARRY NIVEN “At the Bottom of a Hole.†Novelette. Two stories in one: [1] A smuggler is trapped on Mars and discovers how the old base was destroyed. [2] Two officials discover they have been opposing reasons for space exploration. (3)
ROBIN SCOTT “Decoy System.†Evidence of planetary invaders is rigged to effect nuclear disarmament. (3)
JACK VANCE “The Palace of Love.†Serial, part 2 of 3. Demon Princes #3. Review to appear later.
R. A. LAFFERTY “Primary Education of the Camiroi.†The Dubuque PTA travels to another world to compare educational systems, to Earth’s disadvantage. (4)
April 1st, 2021 at 10:24 pm
Looking at these stories now, I’d have to say that this was an absolutely solid All Star issue, even if not sold as one. For me to give any magazine, collection or anthology a 4 star rating, out of five, is almost unheard of.
And this does does not include the Vance serial installment, which took up a 50 page chunk of the magazine.
April 1st, 2021 at 11:12 pm
Remarkable line up. A reminder of what an period that was to be discovering SF in.
April 2nd, 2021 at 4:02 pm
That’s a terrific line-up of authors!
The only one of these stories I’ve read is the Lafferty.
Used to read lots of his books in the 1970’s.
Thank you for telling us about this.