Sat 28 Nov 2020
Diary SF Review: ALAN E. NOURSE – The Universe Between.
Posted by Steve under Diary Reviews , Science Fiction & Fantasy[2] Comments
ALAN E. NOURSE – The Universe Between. Paperback Library 52-462, paperback, 1967. Prior hardcover edition: David McKay, 1965. Expansion of stories “High Threshold†and “The Universe Between†(Astounding SF, March 1951 and September 1951, respectively.) Ace, paperback, 1987. Cover of PL edition probably by Jack Gaughan.
This novel consists of two major parts, probably corresponding to the two stories indicated above. The first concerns the attempt to construct a transmatter, necessary for the economic survival of the world. Somehow a model under construction bridges the gap to a parallel world, through the fourth dimension, and threatens it with destruction.
Agreement with the inhabitants of the Other Side brings the galaxy within reach, but in the second art of the book, complete communication with them is needed to solve problems arising from he existence of infinitely many parallel worlds.
Nourse is quite clearly familiar with engineering methods, as well as science in general, which probably explains the many outstanding reviews by libraries and school journals found on the covers. As is to be expected, attempts to describe the fourth dimension fall short, but they make interesting reading. The value of the switch ending is debatable, but there is no doubt it is valid.
Rating: 3 stars
November 28th, 2020 at 9:37 pm
I was never a big Nourse fan, but he did know his way around a SF plot.
November 28th, 2020 at 9:46 pm
While he wrote several dozen short stories, Nourse was never very prolific as a novelist. His day job was as a medical doctor, which may explain that.
His most famous book was THE BLADERUNNER, which was co-opted as the the title of the Philip K. Dick movie which had nothing to do with Nourse’s novel.