tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290476670691353414.post2816894746290989712..comments2024-03-06T04:04:24.597-08:00Comments on The Trap of Solid Gold: "Half-Past Eternity"Steve Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15863138617383626261noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290476670691353414.post-19254369015838860992015-02-15T10:42:35.216-08:002015-02-15T10:42:35.216-08:00I wish I could find the quote, I once saw Super Sc...I wish I could find the quote, I once saw Super Science Stories described as where everything the Scott Meredith agency couldn't sell anywhere else wound up. Its reputation, such as it is, lies with the people who it gave a start to- as I mentioned they were the first mag to buy from Bradbury, Heinlein had a couple early stories in it, and several others. <br /><br />I don't think any (or at least very few) of the JDM stories in SSS are BAD as such; but I think a lot of them are lesser efforts. Even you, in your review, didn't seem to be a big fan of "Escape to Chaos". Or take "The Hunted", it's not a bad riff on "The Most Dangerous Game"... but it very much is just a riff it it. Eric Gimlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17258813452095489249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290476670691353414.post-36621696431826595322015-02-15T01:30:05.225-08:002015-02-15T01:30:05.225-08:00Thanks Eric. I had no idea Super Science Stories h...Thanks Eric. I had no idea Super Science Stories had such a reputation. I've enjoyed all of the JDM stories I've read there (so far).<br /><br />MacDonald received multiple cover credit several times in the pulps, although I'd have to go back and look at the covers to identify them. The one that comes readily to mind is the July 1949 issue of Fifteen Sports Stories, where JDM had four entries and two cover credits.Steve Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15863138617383626261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290476670691353414.post-79004846706968735402015-02-14T21:34:02.516-08:002015-02-14T21:34:02.516-08:00Sorry it took me so long to comment, but I wanted ...Sorry it took me so long to comment, but I wanted to get the story re-read first. It really is one of the highlights of the later run of SUPER SCIENCE STORIES. It's quite telling that only two stories from SSS made it into OTHER TIMES, OTHER WORLDS despite that series having 18 stories by him, nearly a third of his SF work. It paid low rates and was generally the dumping ground for stuff nobody else would buy. I have a hunch Bradbury threw them a few good stories since the earlier run bought his first story, but other than those and possibly this one, there are not really any classics in the the later run.<br /><br />Despite re-reading the story before posting, I don't really have much to say about it that you didn't. It really is one of JDM's best, and like you suggest it points out one of the great strengths of his SF work. Much of his SF work is not so much SF by the conventions of the era as sports or detective or business stories that happen to have a SF element. It gives him a highly distinctive voice for the era, and is really ahead of its time. <br /><br />Maybe you know off the top of your head, is this the only time JDM got his name on the cover twice? He's there both as himself and as "Peter Reed"Eric Gimlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17258813452095489249noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290476670691353414.post-63302866314201283532015-02-11T03:47:42.181-08:002015-02-11T03:47:42.181-08:00Thank you Frank. Definitely, get yourself a copy o...Thank you Frank. Definitely, get yourself a copy of OTHER TIMES, OTHER WORLDS. You won't be disappointed. Steve Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15863138617383626261noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4290476670691353414.post-73627033029696351862015-02-10T12:49:41.290-08:002015-02-10T12:49:41.290-08:00Just finished "The Girl, the Gold Watch and E...Just finished "The Girl, the Gold Watch and Everything" last night. I will have to try to get "Other World, Other Times". I really enjoy your work. Thanks.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13333338903075168480noreply@blogger.com