The Science Fiction Novel - Edgar Rice Burroughs

I will continue with my look at the Science Fiction novel but first I'll provide a review of my first book of 2020 and let you know what book I'm starting. Then I'll get around to my next Sci-i author. I'm a bit late with my post today as I've been out and about somewhat and also wanted to finish the book below. We're currently enjoying The Golden Globe Awards; something to take our minds off the news of the day (week?).

I also want to say one thing; Stay Safe Australia! Our hearts are with you in this awful time.

Just Finished

Children of the Night by John Blackburn.











"I had previously read Scent Of New Mown Hay by John  Blackburn and found it an excellent read. Children Of The Night is a later publication by Blackburn and while I don't feel it lives up to my first exposure to his writing it is still an interesting horror story, not terrifying but still creepy.

Off the coast of Dunstonholme in northern England, a salvage steamer sets off explosions underwater to crack the hull of a sunken freighter. The freighter' cargo was lead and the plan is to recover the lead for sale. The explosion seems to wake something and suddenly the ship's captain has the ship speeding out to sea, only to crash into another boat, with a resulting explosion and loss of all of the crew.

Over the course of the next few days a number of other incidents (read 'deaths') occur that spook the townspeople. The local priest and a celebrated explorer currently residing there begin an exploration into the history of the town. Incidents have occurred throughout the years; the failure of a lead mine, the failure of the attempt to bring the railroad to the town. It leads back to an incident in the 1300's when a religious sect came through the town and murdered the townsfolk and then disappeared.

As the story progresses the tension in the town mounts and a history written by the priest leads some to believe that the 'end is nigh' that something evil is going to arise and destroy the world? Or at least the town. A small group decide it's incumbent upon them to stop this arising. Of course, others will try to stop them.

It's a fast - paced story, although there is some repetition of this town history with little bits added to it with each telling. It rushes to a cataclysmic ending, somewhat quickly resolved. All in all, I did enjoy. There are some leanings towards Village of the Damned (The Midwich Cuckoos) by John Wyndham. I did like and I think I'll continue to search out other books by Blackburn. (3.5 stars)"

Currently Reading

My Name is Michael Sibley by John Bingham.











"Michael Sibley and John Prosset shared a history that dated back to their first years at boarding school, and so the news of Prosset's murder came as a great shock to his old friend -- especially because Sibley had been staying only the day before at Prosset's country house, where the body was found.

When the police arrive to question him in connection with the murder, Sibley finds himself lying about his recent visit, and thus begins to reveal the true nature of a longstanding but volatile friendship, fraught with mutual deception and distrust. As he tells his version of the truth to the police - and to the reader - Sibley makes the first of many fateful mistakes and finds himself not only under suspicion, but a primary suspect in the investigation.

Seen through the eyes of Sibley himself, 'My Name Is Michael Sibley' is a mesmerizing account of murder, as the narrator purposefully attempts to elude the police and prove his innocence to the reader in the same breath."

Edgar Rice Burroughs

The Science Fiction Novel - Edgar Rice Burroughs.

Edgar Rice Burroughs was born in Chicago in 1875 and died in Encino California in 1950. He was a prolific writer in the Science Fiction and adventure genres. Consider that he wrote both Tarzan and John Carter of Mars. That is just a portion of his written work. He also wrote the Pellucidar, Venus, Caspak, Moon and Mucker series and countless other Sci-Fi, Westerns, Jungle Adventures, historical novels and others.

As a kid in high school I got hooked on his John Carter of Mars novels. Call it an adventure series but with great Sci-Fi links, space travel of a sort, battles with aliens, etc. From 1912 - 1941, he wrote 10 books in this series. I still have this series on my book shelf and once in awhile I dig it out and read it again. I was so happy when a movie version of the story came out and I have to say I enjoyed it very much. I've tried other books by Burroughs and have enjoyed, some better than others. I've recently started his other classic series, that being Tarzan and I look forward to getting into it more. There are over 25 books in the series, written from 1912 - 1944. Some of the later ones were combinations of earlier books.

Ron Ely as Tarzan

Over the years, I've read the comics based on Tarzan, spent years watching various actors playing Tarzan, from Buster Crabbe to Johnny Weissmuller and the man who was always Tarzan to me, Ron Ely. It's difficult to put into words, by me anyway, the impact Burroughs probably had on the Science Fiction genre, especially the pulps. If you want to see the full scope of his work, check this link.

More to follow in upcoming entries. I hope you're enjoying it so far. Have a great week.