August 1996 Issue 299 BRUM GROUP NEWS Price: 45p Price: 45p

The monthly newsletter of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group (Honorary Presidents: Brian W Aldiss and )

Group Chairman & Newsletter Editor - Martin Tudor, Secretary - Anne Woodford, Treasurer - Sarah Freakley, Publicity Officer - Steve Jones, Ordinary Member - Alan Woodford, Novacon 26 Chairman - Carol Morton, Novacon 27 Chairman - Martin Tudor.

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INTERESTED IN FINANCIAL REMUNERATION FOR INTERVIEWING AUTHORS ?

DO YOU LIKE THE IDEA OF GETTING CASH FOR CONVENTION REPORTS ?

WANT TO LEARN HOW YOU CAN MAKE MONEY WATCHING TV AND/OR FILMS ?

COME TO THIS MONTH'S MEETING WHERE THE STAFF WRITER FOR

BRITAIN'S BEST-SELLING SF MAGAZINE WILL REVEAL ALL ! * M. J. Simpson from SFX magazine will address the BSFG on Friday 16 August, 7.45pm for 8pm, at the Prince Hotel,

(on Station St., behind New St. Station, near the Electric Cinema and Bus Station, in the city centre). Admittance: Members: £2.50 (Waged), £2.00 Unwaged), Non-Members £3.75 (Waged), £2.75 (Unwaged). (NB: Unwaged discounts are at the discretion of the Committee and will depend on satisfactory proof of status being produced.)

M. J. Simpson, better known perhaps as "Simo", burst on to the sf scene at the first Inconsequential convention where his off-beat humour and stand-up comedy routines both amused and appalled attendees. Prior to that he had edited TALES FROM THE BROKEN DRUM (the newsletter/fanzine of the sf/humour society Octarine) and MOSTLY HARMLESS (newsletter of ZZ9 Plural Z Alpha, THE HITCH-HIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY society). A collector of naff media memorabilia, he has produced several fanzines, stood for TAFF, worked on a number of convention committees and has been the Staff Writer for SFX since its launch. [Thanks to Pam Wells and APPARATCHIK for much of the above material.]

'An d if y o u 've e ve r m e t S i mo y o u k n o w t h e r e 's e v e r y c h a n c e o f t h a t happen ing!

The BSFG meets at 7.45pm on the 3rd Friday of every month (unless otherwise notified) in the upstairs function room of the Prince Hotel, Station Street in Birmingham city centre (formerly Stephenson's Hotel, between the Electric Cinema and the Bus Station). The annual subscription rates (which include 12 copies of this newsletter and reduced price entry to meetings) are £10.00 per person, or £13.50 for 2 members at the same address. Cheques etc. should be made payable to "the Birmingham Science Fiction Group" and sent to: the Treasurer, Sarah Freakley, c/o 121 Cape Hill, Smethwick, Warley, B66 4SH. (E-mail should go via: [email protected]) Book reviews, review copies and other contributions and enquiries regarding the Brum Group News to: Martin Tudor, Newsletter Editor, 24 Ravensbourne Grove, off Clarkes Lane, Willenhall, West Midlands, W V13 1HX. Colophon and Anaheim Marriott, California, USA. Guests: James White, Roger Corman, (Toast­ The contents of this issue are master) , Takumi and Sachiko copyright 1996 the BSFG, on behalf of Shibano (Fan Guests of Honour). the contributors, to whom all rights Attending $150.00 on the door, revert on publication. Personal opin­ Supporting $30.00. Contact: c/o ions expressed in this publication do SCIFI, PO Box 8442, Van Nuys, CA not necessarily reflect those of the 91409, USA. committee or the membership of the BSFG. All text by Martin Tudor except where 2 0 SEPTEMBER 1996: CHRISTOPHER stated otherwise. This issue was print­ PRIEST will address the BSFG, ed on the CRITICAL WAVE photocopier. 7.45pm for 8pm, at the Prince For details of WAVE'S competitive prices Hotel, (on Station St., behind contact Martin Tudor at the editorial New St. Station, near the address on the cover. Electric Cinema and Bus Station, Many thanks this issue to BERNIE in the city centre). EVANS for producing the address labels, supplying news from the Net and trans­ 21 SEPTEMBER 1996: KEN MACLEOD ferring files; THE BIRMINGHAM EVENING will be signing copies of his MAIL, WHAT'S ON, THE BIRMINGHAM VOICE, second novel, THE STONE CANAL, at STEVE GREEN and CRITICAL WAVE for the Andromeda book shop, 2-5 Suffolk other news in the Jophan Report and the Street, Birmingham, B1 1LT. Call Events listing. 0121-643-1999 for further details of this and other signings.

18 OCTOBER 1996! KEN MACLEOD,

Will "P. Phillips", who joined the author of THE STAR FRACTION which

Group in Hay, please send his address was the runner-up in the Arthur C to: B e m i e Evans, 121 Cape Hill, Clarke award, will address the Smethwick, West Midlands, B66 4SH. BSFG, 7.45pm for 8pm, at the Prince Hotel, (on Station St., behind New St. Station, near the Forthcoming Events Electric Cinema and Bus Station, in the city centre).

10-11 AUGUST 1996: DELTA QUADRANT 18-20 OCTOBER 1996: MASQUE 4 "the STAR TREK convention at the fourth British Costume Convention Britannia Hotel, New Street, for all creative people, , Birmingham. Attending membership sf, historical... but above all £35.00 (6-14 year olds £25.00). lots of FUN. Talks, Shows, Contact: Infinite Frontiers Competitions." The Moat House, Conventions, PO Box 8966, Great West Bromwich, Junction 1 M 5 . Barr, Birmingham, B43 5ST. Attending £30.00, Supporting £10.00, Day attendance £15.00. 16 AUGUST 1996: M. J ("SIMO") Contact: Alan Cash, 130 Hamstead SIMPSON, staff writer for SFX Hall Road, Handsworth Wood, magazine, will address the BSFG, Birmingham, B20 1JB. 7.45pm for 8pm, at the Prince Hotel, (on Station St., behind 8-10 NOVEMBER 1996: NOVACON 26 New St. Station, near the the Brum Group's own convention, Electric Cinema and Bus Station, Hotel Ibis, Ladywell Walk (off in the city centre). Hurst Street), Birmingham. Guest of Honour David Gemmell. Attend­ 29 AUGUST - 2 SEPTEMBER 1996: ing membership £27.00 until 30 LAC0N III 54th World SF September, £30.00 thereafter and Convention, Anaheim Convention on the door. Supporting £10.50. Center, Anaheim Hilton and Towers Progress Report #3 and hotel booking forms now available. (flO.OO) per year, to be deducted Contact: Tony Morton, 14 Park from eventual membership fee (to Street, Lye, Stourbridge, West be announced before 1997). Midlands, DY9 8SS. Contact: Malcolm Reid, 186 Casewick Road, West Norwood, 15 NOVEMBER 1996: HARRY HARRISON, London, SE27 0SZ. one of the Group's Honorary Presidents, creator of the Although details are correct Stainless Steel Rat, etc will to the best of our knowledge, we address the BSFG, 7.45pm for 8pm, advise readers to contact organ­ at the Prince Hotel, (on Station izers prior to travelling. St., behind New St. Station, near Always enclose a stamped, self- the Electric Cinema and Bus addressed envelope when writing Station, in the city centre). to any of the above contact addresses. Please mention the 16 NOVEMBER 1996: HARRY HARRISON BRUM GROUP NEWS when replying to will be signing at Andromeda book listings or advertisements. shop, 2-5 Suffolk Street, If you know of any events Birmingham, B1 1LT. Call 0121- which you think may be of 643-1999 for further details of interest to members of the BSFG this and other signings. please send details to the 23 NOVEMBER 1996: BUZZ ALDRIN Editor. will be signing from noon at If you have attended any Andromeda book shop, 2-5 Suffolk events or seen any films or Street, Birmingham, B1 1LT. (NB: videos that you would like to to be confirmed.) Call 0121-643- recommend to other members (or 1999 for further details of this warn them about) please feel free and other signings. to write a report or review and send it to the 14-17 FEBRUARY 1997: ATTITUDE: THE CONVENTION at the Abbey Hotel, Great Malvern. Attending £23.00. Contact: First Floor The Jophan Report #96 Flat, 14 Prittlewell Square, Southend-on-Sea, SSI 1DW. Forthcoming signing sessions 28-31 MARCH 1997: INTERVENTION at Andromeda include Christopher the 4 8th UK National SF Priest, Graham Joyce, Michael Convention, Adelphi Hotel, Marshall Smith, Stephen Lawhead, Liverpool. Theme "communi­ Graham Edwards, Mike Jefferies cation". Guests Brian W Aldiss, and Ken MacLeod in September and David Langford, Jon Berg and Buzz Aldrin (to be confirmed) on Octavia Butler. Attending 23 November. Call 0121-64 3-1999 £25.00, supporting £15.00, for further details of this and cheques (payable to "Inter­ other signings. vention") should be sent to: 12 It is rumoured that Buzz Crowsbury Close, Emsworth, Aldrin will be appearing at the Hants., P010 7TS. Science Museum in Birmingham some 3-5 SEPTEMBER 1997: LONESTARCON time in November. Further 55th World SF Convention, San details as they come in. Antonio, , USA. Contact: PO Box 27277, Austin, TX 78755- Bridget Wilkinson reports 2277, USA. (in the FANS ACROSS THE WORLD NEWSLETTER) that the Eurocon 27 DECEMBER 1999 - 2 JANUARY Awards presented in Vilnius were 2000: MILLENNIUM. Venue to be as follows: Hall of Fame: Best announced, but definitely in Author Andrezj Sapkowsi (Poland) ; Northern Europe (probably a Best Artist Denis Martynets BeNeLux country or UK), £3.00 (Ukraine); Best Journal ALIEN CONTACT (Germany); Best Publisher Jean-Louis Trudel (for work on Eridanas (Lithuania); Best SFSF BOREAL and the Prix Boreal. Promoter Gediminas Beresnevicius Fan Achievement (Other) Larry (Lithuania); Best Translator Stewart. Aleksander Scherbakov (Russia); Best Fanzine SF-JOURNALEN edited The winners of this year's by Ahrvid Engholm (Sweden). Eisner Awards are as follows: 'Encouragement Awards' (best new Best Single Issue KURT BUSIEK'S writer/artist) were awarded to: ASTRO CITY #4 "Safeguards," by Marian & Sergei Diachenko Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson (Ukraine); George Ceausu (Jukebox Productions/Image); Best (Romania). Short Story "The Eltingville Comic-Book, Science-Fiction, The 16th annual Canadian sf Fantasy, Horror, and Role-Playing and fantasy awards (Prix Aurora Club in Bring Me the Head of Boba Awards 1996) were presented at Fett" by Evan Dorkin, in INSTANT Con-Version XIII in Calgary, PIANO #3 (Dark Horse); Best Alberta. The Aurora Awards Serialized Story STRANGERS IN honour Canadians in 10 different PARADISE #1-8, by categories: (Abstract Studios); Best Best Long-Form Work in English Continuing Series ACME NOVELTY THE TERMINAL EXPERIMENT, Robert LIBRARY, by J. Sawyer (serialized in Analog (); Best Title for as "Hobson's Choice", this novel Younger Readers & ROBIN also won the Nebula Award earlier ADVENTURES by Paul Dini, Ty this year and has been nominated Templeton and Rick Burchett (DC); for the Hugo Award. Best Long- Best Limited Series SIN CITY: THE Form Work in French LES VOYAGEURS BIG FAT KILL by Miller MALGRE EUX, Elisabeth Vonarburg (Dark Horse/Legend); Best New (published in English in Canada Series KURT BUSIEK'S ASTRO CITY as THE RELUCTANT VOYAGERS, by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson Tesseract Books). Best Short- (Jukebox Productions/Image); Best Form Work in English "The Anthology THE BIG BOOK OF Perseids", Robert Charles Wilson CONSPIRACIES edited by Bronwyn (published in the anthology Taggart (Paradox Press); Best NORTHERN FRIGHTS 3 by Mosaic Graphic Album-New STUCK RUBBER Press). Best Short-Form Work in BABY by Howard Cruse (Paradox French "Equinoxe", Yves Meynard Press); Best Graphic Album- (published by Le Passeur in the Reprint THE TALE OF ONE BAD RAT collection LA ROSE DU DESERT). by (Dark Horse); Best Other Work in English REBOOT Best Archival Collection THE (an animated tv series produced COMPLETE CRUMB COMICS, VOL. 11 by by BLT Productions in Vancouver), R. Crumb (Fantagraphics); Best producer Christopher Brough. Humor Publication MILK & CHEESE Best Other Work in French SOLARIS #666 by Evan Dorkin (Slave (Canadian sf magazine) edited by Labor); Best Writer Alan Moore, Joel Champetier, published by Les FROM HELL (Kitchen Sink); Best Compagnons a temps perdu. Writer/Artist, Drama David Artistic Achievement Jean-Pierre Lapham, STRAY BULLETS (El Normand (a Montreal artist whose Capitan); Best Writer/Artist, work has appeared on magazines & Humor, Sergio Aragones, GROO books published in Canada, France (Image); Best Painter John and the ). Fan Bolton, BATMAN: MANBAT (DC); Best Achievement (Fanzine) UNDER THE Penciller/Inker , THE OZONE HOLE edited and published BIG GUY AND RUSTY THE BOY ROBOT by Karl Johanson & John Herbert (Dark Horse/Legend); Best Cover (winning for the fourth year). Artist Alex Ross, KURT BUSIEK'S Fan Achievement (Organizational) ASTRO CITY (Jukebox Productions/Image); Best Coloring son of actors Donald and Diana Chris Ware, THE ACME NOVELTY Sinden, he formed a touring LIBRARY (Fantagraphics); Best company in 1989 with his actress- Lettering , GROO wife Delia Lindsay, staging Oscar (Image), USAGI (Mirage); Wilde's "An Ideal Husband" in the Talent Deserving of Wider West End. Recognition Stan Sakai (); Best Editor [TIE] Dr Timothy Leary, acid guru, Stuart Moore, SWAMP THING, THE died on 31 May, aged 75; shortly INVISIBLES, PREACHER (DC/Vertigo) before his death, which was and Bronwyn Taggart, THE BIG BOOK broadcast on the Internet, he OF WEIRDOS, THE BIG BOOK OF CON­ decided not to proceed with SPIRACIES, BROOKLYN DREAMS, STUCK cryonic suspension and opted RUBBER BABY (Paradox Press). instead to be cremated, with his Awards for Best Comics- ashes to be launched into orbit. Related Publications went to: Leary had been among the Periodical THE COMICS JOURNAL scheduled guests for the Atlanta (Fantagraphics) ; Book sf con DragonCon in June. edited by Manuel Auad (Kitchen Sink). Sf author Whitley Strieber Best Comics-Related Item was one of four alleged victims stamps (U.S. Postal of abduction by aliens featured Service); Best Publication Design in a Sunday Mirrcr survey on 14 THE designed April, timed to coincide with a by Chris Ware (Fantagraphics) . special conference staged in The Hall of Fame: Hal Sheffield by the British UFO Foster, , Winsor McCay, Research Association. Strieber Alex Raymond. was quoted as describing the visitors as "like bugs, only 50 One-time BSFG committee times the size", speaking English member, Mick Evans, reports that "with no accent". He denied his partnership has broken down mental illness: "What's appalling and that he is now working on his is that my brain turned out [in own as a painter and decorator. psychological tests] to be He says he hopes to be able to horribly normal.’ quote more competitively with his new set-up, and is also now in a US author K im Stanley position to offer slightly Robinson addressed the University preferential rates to fans. Call of Liverpool on 3o April as part 0121-558-0997 for further of his promotional tour for the details. novel BLUE MARS. He also met with students taking the THE X—FILES was named the UK University's MA course in science public's favourite tv series in fiction studies and checked out April, winning the "people's the sf Foundation's resident vote" section of the British library. Academy of Film and Television Arts awards. The film director Spending on books fell by John Schlesinger, whose canon 6.8 per cent in the final quarter includes the 198 7 voodoo thriller of 1995, following the collapse THE BELIEVERS, received a BAFTA of the Net Book Agreement; Fellowship. despite predictions by major publishers that the NBA was Jeremy Sinden, whose acting restricting growth, revenue roles included Toad in last figures reached their lowest year's Old Vic revival of "The point in six years. (There were Wind in the Willows", died of soaring sales of video tapes and cancer on 29 May, aged 35. The records during the same period.) The director of the book Savoy released the fifth trade's own research project into volume of its eight-book REVERB- the collapse's effects, Frank STORM series in June; alternat­ Fishwick, said increased best­ ively known as LORD HORROR #12, seller turnover appeared to have this latest instalment costs been at the expense of other £3.50 and is set in an imaginary sectors, meaning total sales post-Holocaust Germany. overall were lower than if discounting were still Beth Yahp's THE CROCODILE prohibited. Whilst these were FURY was published as a £6.99 early days, he added, "the data paperback by the Women's Press in will make some readers wonder July. A magical fantasy, the whether the agreement should have novel has already earned the been cast aside quite so Malaysian-born author (now living hastily." in Australia) the Premier's Literary Award, the Christina Philip K Dick's 1964 sf Stead Prize for Fiction, the novel THE THREE STIGMATA OF Talking Book of the Year Award PALMER ELDRICH, scheduled for a and the Ethnic Affairs Commission film adaptation by Francis Ford Award. Coppola but out of print in the UK for four years, was reissued SERIAL KILLER DAYS, the in a special £5.99 limited latest novel by THE UNNATURAL edition paperback by the bookshop author David Prill, was released chain Waterstones on 15 July. as a US$20.95 hardback by St The new edition includes an Martin's Pre;ss in June. The book introduction by Fay Weldon and is has already been dubbed "the available at £3.99 to those funniest book about the funeral buying one of the 10 sf and business since Evelyn Waugh's THE fantasy novels featured in LOVED ONE" by the New York Times. Waterstones' tie-in promotion. Boxtree launched its series Victor Pelevin's OMON RA, of novels spun off from White short-listed for the Wolf's "World of Darkness" role- Independent's foreign fiction playing systems in April, with award, was published as a £7.99 four £5.99 paperbacks: WEREWOLF, Faber & Faber paperback in July. CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION by The novel centres upon a Soviet Stewart Von Allmen; MAGE, SUCH cosmonaut whose lunar mission PAIN by Don Bassingthwaite; takes on an unexpected dimension. VAMPIRE, NETHERWORLD by Richard Faber & Faber's August Lee Byers; WRAITH, SINS OF THE releases include Kevin FATHERS by Sam Chupp. Macdonald's EMERIC PRESSBURGER, THE LIFE AND DEATH OF A SCREEN­ Stan Nicholls has sold a WRITER, the biography of the young adult sf novel to enigmatic co-author of A MATTER Scholastic's Point sf imprint; OF LIFE AND DEATH, and Joseph it's entitled THE PANDORA BOX and McBride's FRANK CAPRA, THE is scheduled for June 1997. CATASTROPHE OF SUCCESS, which Nicholls, who married fellow sf grew from lengthy conversations author Anne Gay in March, has with the director of IT'S A also joined the London listings WONDERFUL LIFE; both are £9.99 magazine TIME OUT as its regular paperbacks. November sees the sf/fantasy critic, succeeding release of SPIKE, MIKE, SLACKERS Charles Shaar Murray. AND DYKES, John Pierson's £11.99 overview of the past decade of Rodney Matthews' artwork was independent American cinema. combined with Rick Wakeman's music for BETWEEN EARTH AND THE END OF TIME, released as a £40.00 details from the Arvon Found­ CD-ROM by Paper Tiger on 25 ation, Totleigh Barton, Sheep- April. wash, Devon, EX21 5NS (01409- 231338) . Author J G Ballard has leapt to the defence of David Cronen­ Entries for the 1996 UPC berg's controversial adaptation Science Fiction Award, with a of CRASH, writing to VARIETY to first prize of one million praise the film and condemn UK pesetas, must be received by the distributors reluctant to handle Universitat Politecnica de it: "Our producers have becone so Catalunya no later than 10 timid. They fear sex, violence September. Manuscripts of 25- and, most of all, seriousness." 40,000 words should be forwarded to the Consell Social de la UPC, ITV was deluged with Edifici Nexus, Gran Capita 2-4, complaints after its April 08034 Barcelona, Spain; stories screening of the movie ROBOCOP - can be in English, Catalan, but for the violence excised, Spanish or French, and the rather than that left in. The winning entry will be published network had removed a further in the UPC anthology NOVA CIENCIA five minutes from the heavily FICCION. censored US television version. Guy Madison, who died on 6 Twentieth-Century Fox has February at the age of 74, signed director James Cameror. to launched his film career during a a five-movie deal, as well as seven-day leave from the US Navy, agreeing to buy rights to with a three-minute appearance in TERMINATOR III and the long- SINCE YOU WENT AWAY [1944]. Once planned SPIDERMAN from the demobbed, he swiftly became bankrupt Carolco studio. The established as a Hollywood pin­ studio also reportedly commenced up, later moving into television auditions in May for THE CLONE as the lead in WILD BILL HICKOCK. WARS, the first instalment in the As his good looks faded, so prequel trilogy. did his career, fighting Mexican dinosaurs in THE BEAST OF HOLLOW Despite the extensive damage MOUNTAIN [1956] and making suffered by Manchester's city occasional tv cameos in the centre on 15 June, the seventh 1980s. Rory Calhoun, his hunting Festival of Fantastic Filins, companion and Californian scheduled for 2 0-2 2 September, neighbour, said: "We shared a lot should be unaffected; committee of camp-fires together. It is member Harry Nadler reports that another empty saddle, and I will Sacha's Hotel miraculously really miss him." escaped without a single broken window. However, the Mitre Barbara McLean, who died in Hotel, venue for Society of her late 80s on 28 March, Fantastic Films meetings for produced ON THE THRESHOLD OF eight years, is expected to be SPACE for her husband, director demolished. Robert D Webb, but was a key figure in the early days of film Authors Colin Greenland and editing, launching her career on Gwyneth Jones join US editor THE PRIVATE LIFE OF HELEN OF TROY Terri Windling for a five-day (1927). science fiction writing course Appraising her role for the organized by the Arvon Foundation US movie journal FILM COMMENT in in Devon on 2 6-31 August. The the 1970s, she described editing cost is £275.00, which induces as "telling the story with film. food and accommodation; further Good film editing is selecting the best of the film. Great film the daughter of film director editing occurs when you begin Otto Preminger, Bass entered the with great pictures." movie industry with startling title sequences for THE MAN WITH Donald Cammell, who THE GOLDEN ARM (19 55) and ANATOMY committed suicide on 24 April OF A MURDER (1959). aged 62, never lived up to the Ironically, Bass's most promise shown in his 1968 famous project will forever be directorial collaboration with associated with another: the Nic Roeg, PERFORMANCE. This shower sequence in PSYCHO (1960), searing portrait of 1960s London which he story boarded and direct­ stunned Warner Brothers, who ed. It took decades for Alfred shelved its release for three Hitchcock to finally admit he years; Roeg went on to direct wasn't even on the set that day. WALKABOUT (1970), but his colleague's career never recover­ Those seeking the definitive ed from the studio snub. Ironic­ edition of Ramsey Campbell's new ally, the manner of Cammell's novel, THE HOUSE ON NAZARETH death - an apparently self- HILL, should aim for Headline's inflicted gunshot wound - echoes hardback, published in July; the final chapter of that Campbell warns the paperback controversial debut. release will be shorter by After taking a role in "several thousand words". Kenneth Anger's ill-fated LUCIFER RISING and moving to Los Angeles, , who won Cammell helmed the Oedipal sf a screenwriting Academy Award for thriller DEMON SEED (1977), IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (1967), wherein Julie Christie is raped died in Thailand on 26 April, by her scientist husband's AI aged 78; he is survived by his creation; it did not fare well, wife, the Vietnamese-American the director himself admitting actress Tiana Alexandra Du Long. "the film may be shit, but I Educated at the University think her work in it is extra­ of Southern California, ordinary" . The warmer reception Silliphant worked as a Walt afforded the serial killer drama Disney advertising executive WHITE OF THE EYE (1986) failed to before moving into television, translate into a box office hit, producing scripts for such series and the recent WILD SIDE fared no as NAKED CITY and ROUTE 66. better. Cammell's final years Beginning with THE JOE LOUIS were spent drifting around Holly­ STORY (1953), Silliphant's wood, together with second wife screenplays often explored the China King, living off option theme of outsiders within fees on unfilmed screenplays. society, which made him a natural to adapt Daniel Keyes' "Flowers Saul Bass, director of the for Algernon"; CHARLY (1968) won ill-received 1973 eco-chiller an Academy Award for actor Cliff PHASE IV, died on 25 April, aged Robertson, whose plans for a 74. Although his short film WHY sequel never saw fruit. With MAN CREATES won an Academy Award, Wolf Rilla and George Barclay, he it was for his innovative graphic had earlier brought John designs that Bass achieved fame. Wyndham's THE MIDWICH CUCKOOS to Born in New York, he joined the screen as VILLAGE OF THE a Los Angeles advertising agency DAMNED (1960) . in 1946 and opened his own in Less memorable were his 1950, creating corporate imagery contributions to the "disaster for AT&T, Warner Communications, movie" cycle of the mid-1970s: Quaker and several airlines. THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (1972), Through his first marriage, to (1974), THE SWARM (1978) and WHEN TIME RAN possibly 478) habitable planets OUT (1980). Indeed, the last two spread in a ring around their proved real-life disasters at the orbit. A likely story, but box office, effectively killing suspend your disbelief and just off the genre. enjoy! Andrew becomes Andiamo Cartahaynar, shortened to Andi Joan Sterndale Bennett, who Carta for convenience, and later portrayed Queen Victoria in the metamorphoses again into Daniel loose 1967 film adaptation of Kinsharadeen, and captains a Jules Verne's ROCKET TO THE MOON, rust-bucket of a spaceship. On died on 27 April; she was 82 and his travels he collects Kelly better known as the star of Mandell, or Kallee Mandragorian; numerous musical stage comedies, in this book, you can't count on before becoming a reclusive anyone to be who he or she at figure in her later years. first claims to be. It is these twists which are one of its strengths. Another, if you like ADVERT puns, is the names of places and Ex—BSFG chairman, Bernie Evans, is characters, which reward some still hoping to get her office thought. "Admiral Treehauster- services business off the ground. She haus" is obvious enough, but does "the kind of bits and pieces "Hedjukhayteen Archipelago"? bigger places won't or can't do" and Think about it.... On the other says she'll have a go at anything: hand, there are some which, if databases and envelope labels, typing, they have any significance, elude disk-swopping, photocopying (at the me. same rates as WAVE because she doesn't This may be nit-picking, but want to steal their customers!). She I was slightly irritated by a few will also do mail-shots from your own slips in the author's use of the lists, but refuses to sell-on her English language. "In anyway" address file. She has been known to isn't correct in my book, but write to people herself on someone isn't just a typo. And he else's behalf, however. Call 0121- sometimes puts commas in where 558-0997 for further details. they aren't needed, but leaves them out where they should be. There are others which I can't Book Reviews recall now, but which made me falter in the pace of my reading; they should have been picked up STAR WARTZ by Patrick Tilley, by a sub-editor. And why call a orbit, 409pp, £4.99, p/b, planet "Libra"? Doesn't he know Star Rating: **** that's a constellation? But Reviewed by Dave Hardy. don't let that put you off. If I must be one of the only sf you want a good, no-nonsense, fans who haven't read THE AMTRAK fast-paced read, or need cheering WARS, so didn't really know what up, this will do the job. to expect from this author. I still don't know if the style is FOUR WAYS TO FORGIVENESS by totally different (perhaps I Ursula K. LeGuin, should find out), but this is a Gollancz, 2 53pp, h/b, £15.99. romping, fast-moving and very Star Rating: *** funny adventure in which Andrew Reviewed by Chris Morgan. Webber (no Lloyd-) , would-be Here are four linked stories reporter, answers an advert for a in LeGuin's Hainish sequence, so Galactic Fax Directory and gets they have at least slight transported to a very different connections with most of her planetary system - the Rimworld - other sf. As usual for LeGuin, which consists of 47 6 (or the writing is subtle, with excellent characterisation. Reviewed by Pauline Morgan. There are touches of wit, warmth These two books are a change and even humour. Eventually each of direction for Mark and Julia of the four becomes a love story Smith, the writers who are with, as one could guess from the "Jonathan Wylie". They are title, a happy ending. And yet fresh, well written and the best these are not pleasant stories to they have produced to date. Both read, nor are they satisfying. have principally contemporary One problem is that two of settings with fantasy elements. the stories, "Forgiveness Day" OTHERLANDS begins in and "A Woman's Liberation", are Norfolk. Zoe is a writer who has too abbreviated. Each contains managed to escape from the shadow races of people who are different of a brutal husband and find from us only in their social happiness with Michael. Then arrangements. This social Michael is hit by a car while out anthropology is an area in which running and nothing can shift him LeGuin excels, always coming up from his coma. But a message with fresh, convincing and appears on her answer machine, fascinating details of custom and from Michael. And she senses a behaviour. In the past she has malevolent presence that seems to gone into too much detail be searching for something. (notably in ALWAYS COMING HOME) Aware that she is desperate to but here she could have believe the messages are from profitably enlarged the stories Michael but that most people will into short, spare novels. dismiss them as her imagination A second problem is that the in her distraught state she asks feminist perspective is overdone. a hypnotherapist for help. When These are four political stories she is regressed she finds (sometimes too intensely politi­ herself sharing the body of cal) , intended to arouse a sense another woman in a similar of outrage in all right-thinking situation to herself - the man readers. But LeGuin is preaching she loves lies in a coma. The too much, rather than getting on difference is that Emmony is with the story, and she is still married to her husband and preaching to the converted, since in her world there is no divorce. there can be few serious But there is magic. Only by advocates today of either slavery using each other's skills to or female subservience to males. understand and resolve the We've heard it all before, which situation can both their lovers means that the impact (although minds be reunited with their heightened through the contrived bodies. pulling of plotstrings) is The characters are well greatly lessened. handled and the story zips along So we're left with four at a good pace. It is only reasonably enjoyable stories, afterwards that there is time to each containing exceptional ask the unresolved questions, elements. But when you've just like how did Michael communicate read one story of injustice with Zoe, and where were his and tempered by a romantic ending, his counterpart's minds during you probably, like me, won't want these events. to read three more of the same ACROSS THE FLAME has straightaway. This is a book Dartmoor, the Scilly Isles and best dipped into occasionally. the Greek island of Paxos as backgrounds - these authors like OTHERLANDS by Jonathan Wylie, islands. Anya is an artist. She Orbit, £5.99, 3 60pp shares her home with Luke, a ACROSS THE FLAME by Jonathan Dartmoor ranger. Every few Wylie, Orbit, £16.99, 376pp months, Anya has to escape and spend time on her own. Luke minor role in PARK to lead doesn't like the arrangement but villain. accepts it as part of loving New faces include an Anya. Allessandro is a sorcerer arrogant male palaeontologist, a whose spirit was trapped in a tough female biologist and a painting. He thinks he can use couple of children. One of the Anya to regain access to the real kids is a black computer genius world. Anya is haunted, but she with wealthy parents who never can't make anyone believe her. make enough time for him, the When she tries to escape by other a clever, independent white running away to her Greek Island girl with poor parents who never retreat, Luke follows. make any time for her. Occas­ In both books, the ionally this pair give the book contemporary settings are the air of a juvenile novel, and accurately realised - these are they perpetrate one horrendous surroundings the authors are cliche which is worthy of the familiar and feel comfortable Famous Five. with. Both feature a woman who Why did the author choose the outside world considers on this particular combination of the the verge of a breakdown and ages, races, talents and genders? a resolution that requires co­ Is he trying to counter the operation between women who can accusations of racism and sexism never meet. There is also a that were levelled, perhaps fierce loyalty between the unfairly, in the wake of RISING partners in both books. SUN and DISCLOSURE? Maybe he is, Intrigued? Go and read them for but the main reason must be that yourself. the book is heavily overshadowed by the film it will become. THE LOST WORLD by Michael Even if the movie turns out to Crichton, Arrow, £5.99, 430pp, have a different storyline, this p/b. Star Rating: ** is virtually a "novelisation" Reviewed by Chris Murphy. before the fact instead of THE LOST WORLD is a sequel afterwards. That is why there to JURASSIC PARK. It borrows is so much focus on the children, the title of an early sf classic, why there is a cute baby which though dated now was vivid tyrannosaurus with an injured and original in its time. This leg, why there are Indiana Jones- novel is neither. style chases. It is probably The plot is straightforward. also the reason why Malcolm talks There is another island and there so much. The plot is sufficient are more dinosaurs. Crichton for 120 minutes on the screen, revisits his favourite theme: but not for a 400-page novel. people's willingness to ignore The theories are padding. Murphy's Law, especially where Having commented on THE LOST complex technology is concerned. WORLD'S defects, I must add that Two characters are brought it is not all bad. Crichton's forward from the earlier book, skills as a writer save it from Ian Malcolm and Lewis Dodgson. becoming complete dross. There Malcolm, the mathematician, are touches of dry humour, as entirely lacks the eccentric when Malcolm argues that human charm Jeff Goldblum gave him in beings cannot be regarded as the film. He has become a "sentient and aware". The verbose bore, spouting page after confrontations with the dinosaurs page of scientific and are gripping, whether intended as philosophical theory which has the basis for filmed scenes or little relevance to the story. not. He even manages to turn a Dodgson, an expert in corporate few of the weaknesses apparent in espionage, is promoted from his JURASSIC PARK into strengths here. It seems there is a never quite convinced me, and the logical explanation for the ending is disappointing. I felt laboratory sequence in PARK that it was necessary for the jumping from DNA to fertilised newly confident Rose to free eggs with no real process in herself of Norman by personally between, and effective use is disposing of him - but she made of the dubious idea that doesn't. There's still enough of tyrannosaurus could only see interest here for me to recommend moving objects. the novel. This is a deeply flawed book with some redeeming virtues. I ***** suspect that the author turned it out, hampered by Hollywood, with The ratings are: his mind on other and hopefully * = Crap, beyond belief. better projects. ** = Crap, but readable. *** = Not too bad, really. ROSE MADDER by Stephen King, **** = Pretty good actually. New English Library, 595pp, p/b, ***** = BUY IT! £6.99. Star Rating: *** R e v i e w e d by C h r i s Morgan. Please remember that reviews of The last King novel I read books should reach Martin Tudor at 24 was the exceedingly boring Ravensbourne Grove, off Clarkes Lane, GERALD'S GAME, which contained Willenhall, WV13 1HX, within ONE MONTH almost enough good material for a of your taking the book. short story. ROSE MADDER is, I'm A number of people still owe glad to say, a lot better than reviews, a full list will appear in the that. Not King at his original next issue so please ensure that these, and page-turning best, but along with reviews of books picked up at getting back towards it. the last meeting are passed/mailed to Rose Daniels is a battered Martin Tudor at/by this month's meeting. wife who, after 14 years of nasty The September newsletter will be physical abuse, runs away to produced in August before I leave for start a new life in another US the USA, so PLEASE get reviews to me by city. Her husband Norman, a the August meeting! I will be mailing homicidal policeman, cones after the issue on my return. her. While Rose is quite well Will EVERYONE please note that you portrayed, too many good things should PRINT your name in the box happen to her to her too easily provided as well as signing for the to be believable - a supportive review book(s) you pick up. hostel, a discovered talent which leads to a good job, a dishy boyfriend who seems to be standing around waiting for her ADVERT to come along. Norman, on the Vicky Nicholas (nee Evans), ex-Novacon other hand, is a stunningly creche organiser, needs some help powerful creation, breathtaking keeping a roof over her head since in his arrogance and contempt, splitting up with husband Lee, and is willing to maim or kill anybody offering someone a home. Your own who gets in his way and bedroom and the run of the house, determined to torture and kill everything included except food and Rose for her "crime" of phone calls, for £50.00 a week. (When disloyalty. Yet he's also a asked if this meant she'd do the clever and resourceful detective, washing she was heard to utter a and the ways in which he tracks Bernie-like expression, but said the her down are the best parts of machine was available for use.) Other the book. details can be argued over as There's a dreamlike necessary. Call 0121-706-6236. supernatural strand here which