Something To Read by Ken Slater

SHADOW ON THE HEARTH. JUDITH MERRIL (Sidgwick & Jackson), 9/6d.

I believe that an earlier reviewer of this book (it was published in 1950 in America) commented to the effect that Miss Merril had brought science-fiction into the home. A very true statement, for this story has a far wider appeal than its strictly s-f content. It would, I think, be fair to call it a "Mrs. Miniver" of tomorrow.

Gladys Mitchell, a young housewife living in the Westchester area of New York , sees her two young daughters off to school and her husband off to his office, and then gets down to worrying whether she can manage all the laundry and still attend a luncheon party—happily, she finds she can't. Happily, because it is about 1.15 when the A-bombs hit New York and all the other city areas of the United States. From a quiet opening, which would fit any "light romantic" story, the reader is swept rapidly into the turmoil and anguish of a stricken nation, microcosmically represented by Mrs. Mitchell, her family, her neighbours, her servant... just ordinary people. No space conquerors, no heroic leaders, no swaggering bravado. Just the plain stupidity, heroism, pathos, kindness, of the ordinary people... they might be the people down your street.

There is excitement and action- Doc Levy, wanted by the Security forces as a "saboteur," is taken in by Mrs. Mitchell—and obtains a false identity when a gang attacks the house, and is repulsed. There is tension of all kinds—the tension of the radio reports, lists of casualties, damage, instructions; the tension when it is discovered that Ginny, the younger daughter, has radiation sickness; when the local squadman insists on visiting the cellar where Doc Levy is hiding. There is some humour, supplied mainly by the dry and caustic sensibility of Mrs. Mitchell's maid, Veda, another security suspect. There is emotion of all kinds in this work, and although it is primarily about a woman, the reader need have little fear of "that love stuff " which so many s-f enthusiasts decry. The emotions you will find here are in places hard and brutal, not softly sentimental.

EARTH ABIDES. George R. Stuart (Science Fiction Book Club), 6/-

This book was received quite some time ago and regrettably limitations of space prevent a complete review. However, we would thoroughly recommend it to all our readers, sincere in the belief that it is a real "four star" choice.

 

from Nebula No. 7. February 1954

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