The Devniad, Book 15 Bob Devney 25 Johnson Street, North Attleboro, MA 02760 508-699-7885 [email protected] APA:NESFA #313, June 1996

White Magic medicine and surgery on a multi-species space station hospital. Mighty few authors manage to make Picture ER drawing its casualties a mark by being decent. However, that from the Star Wars Cantina and you can forthright bit of legerdemain is just what imagine the possibilities. But probably the Irish writer James White has not as many as White has envisioned, accomplished. He’s been writing science and not with such fascinating details of fiction marked by decency, goodwill, bizarre anatomy, pathology, and and a gentle good humor steadily since psychology (and that’s just among 1953. the staff….) God, I can feel prospective White For me, though I quite like the Sector readers swooning away with every word General books and have a deep fondness I write, paralytic with anticipated for the undersea colony in 1966’s The boredom. It’s all true, dammit! But he’s Watch Below, White’s single most also fun to read, he really is…. satisfying and sustained work is The In fact, White is still producing Escape Orbit (1965), about a breakout decent stuff, and will be recognized as attempt from a prison planet in a future Guest of Honor at this year’s SF world war. It’s 188 pages of the best problem- convention in LA. So nice guys do finish solving, old-fashioned adventure SF with first. Eventually. Sometimes. never a wrong note or missed beat. And Mark Olson was looking recently for for those put off by the word “war,” I recommendations on White short should note that White is far from a stories, I believe to select for a con GOH militarist or war-lover. Rather, as we book. Given my luck, he’s probably discover here, the reverse. already gone to press. But the request prompted me to go back and reread On to the short stuff. From the some White. Let’s see how Mark’s collection Monsters and Medics (1977), I’d selections match mine in the two short recommend the introduction, “Reality in story collections I’ve recently had a Science Fiction,” a nice little essay on the chance to reread. eternal “Where do you get your ideas for stories?” question. Not surprisingly, First, though, let me mention the it explains where he got his ideas for novels. A fair proportion of White’s these stories. Plus “Counter Security,” output continues to fall within the Sector about a very strange break-in puzzling a General medics-in-space series he began night watchman in a big department with in 1962. This is by store. And perhaps “The Apprentice,” far his most popular stuff, stories from about another store with a new Hospital Station to (1979) extraterrestrial staffer who’s giving to The Genocidal Healer (1992) dealing Personnel fits. mainly with the complex problems of The Devniad, Book 15 Page 2 of 6

White spent 6 years as a department stories over the next 30 years, Conway, store tailor-shop clerk himself, so the as the ever-alert Encyclopedia of Science background for these is convincing and Fiction points out, has never to date been the humor grounded in wry observation. given a first name.) And perhaps “Second Ending,” a long story in the White’s best story of his debut decade, same collection, is more problematical. 1954’s “The Conspirators,” showcases This combination last-man-on-earth and his charming way with animals in a far-future tale was actually nominated satisfying tale about a spaceship’s cat — for a Hugo as best novel in 1963. At 108 plus its mice, guinea pigs, and canary. pages, guess it would be cast in the The amusing rodents-in-free-fall scenes novella category today. But brevity weren’t matched until their darker echo probably wasn’t the chief reason it lost in the Niven-Pournelle classic The Mote the award that year. It must have in God’s Eye 20 years later. sounded a bit dated even when written, and despite a grand subject and some One of White’s greater magics lies in (consciously) noble writing, whole his ability to clearly and interestingly chunks of it just don’t convince. describe complicated problems and their Besides, as White himself might put resolutions. Such as the steps involved it with his endearing stylistic habit of in escaping from a primitive prison detonating a surprise and then using planet, starting more or less with your ellipses to let the irony linger in the bare hands and concluding 3 years later mind as the bits tinkle down all around with the intricate hijacking of a you: in the 1963 contest his story was up technologically advanced guardship against something called Stranger in a space shuttle (The Escape Orbit). Strange Land…. Or how to cure a giant intelligent crab of life-threatening diabetes. (No, By the way, whoever edited this Del NOT just by cutting down on crab cakes. Ray Book for Ballantine in 1977 should The solution, of course, is to surgically be shot for that title. Granted, a few implant an artificial giant-intelligent-crab peripheral medical personnel are pancreas, as shown in “Countercharm.” mentioned here and there in passing. ) But a James White collection called But in most of these cases, White Monsters and Medics certainly sounds like wisely keeps the fascinating details it’s got at least a few percolating along in the background, stories. Bzzzttt — wrong! reserving the foreground for strongly drawn, humanistic (even if alien), decent The collection The Aliens Among Us (there’s that word again) characters (1969) contains lesser stories, all but one trying their best to do the right thing, from the 50s. often with conflicted emotions, in Two stand out among a pack of puzzling or adverse circumstances. For White’s early and sometimes awkward the reader, that’s the real magic of efforts. “Countercharm” from 1960 leads White. off strongly as one of White’s first stories about Dr. Conway, in a how-to- perform-surgery-on-aliens plot FlimFan described below. (Note that despite starring in many other Sector General The Devniad, Book 15 Page 3 of 6

Noteworthy movies seen in the last The shows are written by a lone month or so: Mission Impossible; The genius, Jimmy McGovern, if I read the Arrival; The Phantom; Paradise Lost: The credits right. I don’t know anything else Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (on about him. But feels he deserves a HBO); Cracker: Brotherly Love (on A&E). paragraph to himself anyway. In Britain, they combine Oscars and Admittedly, I was skeptical about Emmys into something called the the casting. As I commented to my BAFTRA awards. This show has won friend and main movie man Steve: two BAFTRAs as best drama. “Finally, Charlie Sheen in the role he Consecutively. And the incredible was BORN to play: A brilliant radio Robbie Coltrane (remember the garage astronomer....” guy in Mona Lisa? OK, OK, how about But by the time the conclusion of The the fat one in Nuns on the Run?) has won Arrival arrived, I thought it was a solid three as best actor for Fitz. SF flick with a fairly intelligent script, Yet chances are you’ve never seen good performances, a few laughs the show. Or heard of it. (mostly intentional), and fine direction Still think God’s a film fan? and atmosphere. Excellent scorpions-in- the-bed scene especially. Even Charlie My friend David Rice, playwright, did well. Steve concurs. Recommended economist, and weird-furniture artist, — on video or cable, since it lasted a called from St. Louis to mention I measly week at my hoodplex. completely missed the boat last month in reviewing the Dutch film Antonia’s Much more brilliant but seen by Line. Ignored all the symbolism: Antonia even fewer people: the latest Cracker the strong woman is postwar Europe. film. This is about sixth or seventh in a The farmer (Boer Bass) is the prewar series of bloody fantastic British TV patriarchal Dutch society for which she movies about a fat, brilliant, self- has some almost nostalgic affection but destructive, charming, can’t-not-joke-to- by whose rules she cannot live. The save-his-life (why am I so drawn to this character Crooked Fingers is European material?) Brit police psychologist intellectualism: nihilistic, circumscribed, named Edward “Fitz” Fitzgerald. Fitz suicidal, doomed. The fascistic farmer’s eats, drinks, and gambles way too much; son who joins the army to continue his commits the odd spot of adultery; at one career of bullying, intimidation, and point in this episode responds to his rape? Obviously the modern European wife’s groans in the delivery room male. And so on. during labor by inquiring lightly, “Still I guess Antonia’s life of suffering think God’s a woman?” — and yet and struggle against male oppression, manages to get inside the heads and climaxed by her laying down to die, is under the skins of tough suspects during not exactly the brightest omen for interrogation with relentlessly insightful Europe today.... So why did we leave monologues that crack their shells and the theater smiling and humming? split open the dark hearts of their But thanks for the advisory, Dave. motivations for the crimes. Usually. Maybe next month we’ll discuss Christ Unless he’s wrong. I told you this was symbolism in The Arrival. quality stuff. (Well, Charlie Sheen has a beard. Hears messages from above. And in The Devniad, Book 15 Page 4 of 6

case that’s too subtle for some of you, at Interesting list of your ancestors’ one point I actually heard him say occupations. Quite a few vanished “Christ.” I rest my case.) trades: wheelwright, blacksmith, tinsmith. The only occupation I know of from a few generations back in my Backchat family was that one great-grandfather on APA:NESFA #312, May 1996 was the youngest school principal in his part of the Emerald Isle. To Nicholas Shectman Suspect, though, that the customary Welcome to the APA! occupations for my ancestors were town Your note about people’s drunk, village drunk, hamlet drunk, etc. misspelling Lissanne Lake’s name in the And those were the women.... flyer announcing her as artist Guest of Honor at Arisia reminds me of one small To Nomi Burstein surprise I was handed when I started Like you, some of my main stops producing these columns. To do it right, when raiding a bookstore are SF, you must undertake a fair amount of mystery, reference, language (or research about dates, titles, names, so linguistics, or whatever they call it on. (You think I trusted myself on thereabouts). But I must say my first “Shectman” first time out without stop is always the NEW BOOKS looking?) I’m sure that, say, Tony Lewis sections, both soft- and hardcovers. I or Mark Olson pluck facts perfect and admit it, I’ve read books outside our fully formed from their vast eidetic genres and specialties from time to time. storehouses of memory. But for the rest Don’t hate me because I’m general. of us, it can be slog slog slog. Will have to try the new Borders in I don’t think we’ve met, but it Downtown Crossing, since you’re so sounds like you’ve been around fandom gaga about it. a while, are into con-running, and did some heavy lifting for Arisia. Let’s see, To Leslie Turek what else can I discern from the aura Great to see you at the Proper your article emits? You’ve never been to Boskonian collation (part 1 of n). Loved eastern Turkey ... you once were your story of glancing down at a sheet attracted to a person with brown hair; you were collating to find my mention of things didn’t work out ... you dislike the name of a New Orleans fanzine caraway seeds, although you may not contributor, Binker Glock Hughes — and know this ... you feel tender after recognizing that this was probably the surgery. Binker Glock (how many can there be?) How’d I do? who was your sole simpatico colleague while waitressing in Memphis many moons ago. You were going to write to the editor of the fanzine — I realized To Tony Lewis later that he probably published her I’m not familiar with Panshin’s address right in that issue. It’s Challenger Syndrome. I thought it would involve No. 3, Fall/Winter 95. I’ve already Alexei Panshin, but then you mentioned returned it. But if it’s not in the Tolkien and Asimov, so I’m clueless. A clubhouse fanzine archive, it was familiar state, but still distressing. probably one of Ken Knabbe’s personal The Devniad, Book 15 Page 5 of 6

collection, and you could call him for her You’re rereading C. S. Forester’s address. Hope you manage to get Hornblower series, what a treat. Know reacquainted soon. Don’t you just love something he does very well, that never happy endings? gets mentioned? The little set pieces that Very nice, comprehensive find Hornblower on shore, usually for a description of your orienteering few pages at the start of a book. experience. Does sound like a lot of fun Many of even the most exciting sea — rambling with a rationale. Will put it scenes can merge in memory after a on my list of things to try after I lose a time. But what sticks with me without few thousand pounds. checking the books are Lieutenant Hornblower beached on half pay and To Ray Bowie trying to keep brass in pocket by playing By now, the kidney stone surgery whist with sharpers ... Lord Hornblower you announced last time must be just a sweating during a boring ceremony in fading if not fond memory. Congrats on the chapel with fellow Knights of the surviving yet again. Garter ... young Hornblower stuck in a I agree with you on William Holden hasty marriage with poor red-faced — “although he played misfits and Maria, the innkeeper’s daughter. rebels I always thought of him as an Oh, the humanity. authority figure ... there seemed a streak of honesty and dignity in [his roles].” To Michael Burstein Very well said. Caught a glimpse of him Re your entitling last month’s article on cable the other night, was thinking The Bob Devney Edition and working my how handsome Holden was. Something name into every section. As Jackie really square and forthright in his Gleason said when asked about his expression. The closest I can think of nickname, The Great One, “I’m really today would be Harrison Ford. Ford not offended by it.” plays smarter, perhaps, and with none So what’s this poll you took at of Holden’s occasional bluster. But a Lunacon about how 97% of the people in little more lightweight? the room had carnal knowledge of James Branch Cabell? To Mark Olson Thanks for putting me down for Best Have you picked up Harbors and Fan Writer. My blushes, Burstein. High Seas yet? As I said, it’s a book of However, I’d need a tad more presence maps and explanations about “the outside, say, the 617 and 508 area codes physical world” in Patrick O’Brian’s before I start polishing one-liners for a Aubrey-Maturin novels of the Nelsonian worldcon acceptance speech. It’s not as age of sail. Done by Dean King and the if I had won Analog’s Analytical same crew that did last year’s Olson- Laboratory recognition as thousands of recommended straight glossary for the readers’ favorite of the year or anything, novels, Sea of Words. like someone else I could mention. The Diana Wynne Jones you Love your phrase about styling the mention, The Tough Guide to Fantasyland, “A” in your title “TeleAbsence” — “the sounds great. Though as yet unfound. inherent coolness of intercapping.” So author Paul Davies’ specialty is Never ran across the word before, but “frontier physics.” As in, say, the riddle think it’s great. Shall steal it at the first of Shrödinger’s Dogie? opportunity. The Devniad, Book 15 Page 6 of 6

By the way, I’d like to publicly too much away. Let’s just say that congratulate you and Nomi on the Sheen’s character is offered proofs of upcoming first anniversary of the alien interference on Earth. Someone blissful event you refer to as asks him, Do you think NASA would “WeddingCon.” My intercap’s off to you really send up a $10 billion telescope both. Many happy returns. without checking the optics? Unless..... But for me, the problem with all To Craig McDonough conspiracy theories is simple. Do I think So much earnest botany talk this people are more likely to successfully spring from NESFA people. Maybe we engage in clever, convoluted, cryptic should change the name to the New maneuvers with malign intent — or to England Sedulous Farming Association. just do stupid stuff? Congratulations on your new D&B contract job. If you like it, hope it turns To Joe Ross long-term. And about not being used to Your quotes were great fun as usual. commuting less than an hour — I know Ah, The Interview That Buried Mitt what you mean. Read somewhere that Romney — the Globe’s little chat prior to the average American commuter has 45 the election with the candidate’s minutes each way. Ouch. Right now I moneyhoney wife Ann. Talk about spend only about 35 miserable, heavy- digging his grave with her tongue…. lidded, frustrating, life-threatening My office friend Laurie Noyes drives minutes on the road coming in to really a vehicle still festooned with a Romney set me up for a happy day at the office. bumper sticker (so naturally I’ve See you at Readercon if not before. christened it the Mittmobile). She and Really looking forward to it. other Republicans are always rocketing me about Ted Kennedy. At least, for To Paul Giguere millionaires, the Kennedys sometimes Glad to hear you dumped that non- seem to have the ghost of a concept of SF SO. Actually, I hear top NESFA how the po folks live. officers used bribery and threats to break up your romance so you’d have more time to devote to scanning for NESFA Press. More on this budding Gigueregate scandal next ish, perhaps. So you opine that the Giguere, Lewis, and Devney clans are all somehow related. That suggests some fascinating avenues for genetic research: like The Quest for the SF Gene. Or is it just some aberrant, deeply flawed, anti- survival, pink-monkey mutation?

To Anna Hillier Speaking of the Hubble Space Telescope, it’s alluded to in one of the more amusing moments of The Arrival (see review above). Don’t want to give