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“Science Fiction” Novels of the 1950s  (4)

Adventures, time travel, and other explorations

(Romanian)

The Big Time by Fritz Leiber (1958) is an opera (rather a novel of ideas, approaching in tone the theater of the absurd and existentialist literature) that explores themes related to temporal warfare, identity, and the nature of reality, in an intriguing and original setting.

Here, we are dealing with “demarcations”:

• Time travel, with the central theme of the short story being temporal warfare, with an emphasis on the manipulation of history and the consequences of these actions, explores the paradoxes and complexities of time travel in an original way.
• Military science fiction, the conflict between the “Spiders” and the “Snakes” is a temporal war, with specific strategies and tactics, the atmosphere of conflict and tension being a defining characteristic of the short story.
• Psychological science fiction, Leiber explores the impact of time war on the human psyche, showing how the manipulation of history can affect identity and perception of reality, with the characters confronting issues related to identity and memory.
• Space opera (with a twist), although not a classic space opera, the novella has elements of cosmic adventure and interstellar conflicts, but with an emphasis on the temporal dimension.

A Case of Conscience by James Blish (1958) is a work that explores profound themes related to religion, morality, and the impact of contact with extraterrestrial civilizations, presenting the story of a Jesuit priest, Ramon Ruiz-Sanchez, who is also a biologist, who faces a complex moral dilemma on an alien planet called Lithia, to determine whether it is suitable for human contact.

From a “technical” point of view, it is a novel that falls into several subgenres of science fiction, with a particular emphasis on philosophical and religious themes:

• Philosophical science fiction, addresses themes related to the nature of morality, the role of religion in society, and the conflict between faith and reason, exploring deep questions about what it means to be moral and the origin of good and evil.
• Religious science fiction, presents a conflict between the religious beliefs of the protagonist, a Jesuit priest, and the extraterrestrial reality he discovers, the central theme being the moral dilemma of the protagonist, who must reconcile his faith with scientific discoveries.
• First Contact, presenting contact with a unique alien civilization, Lithia, which has no religion but possesses perfect morality, the impact of this contact on the protagonist’s beliefs is a key element of the plot.
• Social science fiction, Blish exploring the impact of contact with an alien civilization on human society, presenting different reactions and interpretations.

In detail, the Lithians are a species of advanced reptilians, completely devoid of religion, but living in a perfectly ethical and moral society, an aspect that triggers deep dilemmas for the protagonist, who comes to suspect that this seemingly ideal world could be a satanic creation meant to test human faith.

Blish contrasts the Lithian civilization, based on logic and harmony, with a human society that is chaotic, divided, and full of ideological conflict, a contrast that raises questions about the viability of religion and ethics within an advanced civilization.

We Have Fed Our Seas (also: The Enemy Stars) by Poul Anderson (1958) explores themes of space exploration, the relativity of time, and personal sacrifice, telling the story of four astronauts who return to Earth after a long interstellar journey, only to discover that time has passed much faster on Earth than on their ship. It is an excellent example of hard science fiction, in which the author emphasizes realistic scientific details regarding interstellar flight, relativistic physics, and the technological constraints of space exploration.

From a “technical” point of view, the novel falls into several subgenres of science fiction, with a particular emphasis on themes related to the relativity of time and space exploration:

• Hard science fiction, with Anderson paying close attention to scientific detail, accurately describing the effects of time relativity on interstellar travel, with aspects related to physics and astronomy being treated with scientific rigor.
• Space opera (with a twist), because while not a classic space opera, the novella features interstellar travel and the exploration of distant worlds, with the emphasis on the psychological impact of space travel on the astronauts rather than epic space battles.
• Time travel (indirect), the relativity of time creating an effect similar to time travel, as astronauts experience a significant time difference between their ship and Earth, exploring the consequences of this effect on interpersonal relationships and the perception of reality.
• Psychological science fiction, exploring the psychological impact of isolation and long-duration space travel on astronauts, with the central theme being personal sacrifice and the emotional impact of distance and time.

Protagonistul, Maclaren, face parte dintr-un echipaj format din patru oameni de naționalități diferite, trimiși într-o misiune de explorare la bordul navei Leonora Christine, folosind un sistem „matter transmitter” pentru a ajunge la destinație, iar în timpul misiunii, echipajul este blocat în apropierea unei stele neutronice după ce sistemul navei cedează, iar lupta pentru supraviețuire devine principala temă a romanului, ilustrând cât de mică și neînsemnată este omenirea în fața vastității cosmosului, stelele și vidul spațial nefiind doar un decor, ci forțe uriașe, impasibile, care pot distruge orice vis de explorare umană într-o clipă.

The four crew members have distinct views on exploration, technology, and existence, highlighting the tensions between their personalities, exploring how people react in the face of despair and imminent death, exploring the consequences of the relativity of time, presenting how space travel can affect the perception of time and interpersonal relationships, the astronauts facing significant personal sacrifices, giving up years of their lives to explore space, in a realistic and detailed vision of space exploration, highlighting the difficulties and challenges of interstellar travel.

Additionally, the psychological impact of isolation and long-term space travel on astronauts is explored, approaching the theme of the relativity of time in a scientifically rigorous way, demonstrating his knowledge of physics and astronomy, given that the mission seems doomed to failure, the emphasis being placed on human determination and the unstoppable desire to face the unknown, even in the face of ultimate danger (a recurring theme in Anderson’s works), reflecting both his pessimism and optimism towards the future of humanity.

As a small background detail, the novel’s original title, We Have Fed Our Seas, is inspired by a poem by Rudyard Kipling and evokes the idea of ​​human sacrifice in the name of exploration and progress, and the version The Enemy Stars emphasizes the contrast between humanity and the hostile universe, the novel influencing many subsequent stories about crews lost in space, including similar themes found in 2001: A Space Odyssey by Arthur C. Clarke or The Cold Equations by Tom Godwin.

Who? by Algis Budrys (1958), a psychological sci-fi thriller and espionage film set in the near future, exploring themes of identity, paranoia, and the effects of the Cold War (reflecting the tensions and paranoia of the Cold War, presenting a world in which the boundaries between allies and enemies are blurred), tells the story of a scientist, Lucas Martino, who is seriously injured in a laboratory accident and rebuilt with robotic components, but whose identity is questioned by both sides of the Iron Curtain.

From a technical point of view, the novel, with its emphasis on themes of identity and paranoia, is “reflected” in the following subgenres of “science fiction”:

• Psychological science fiction, exploring the depths of the human psyche, revealing the uncertainty and distrust of the characters, the central theme being the protagonist’s struggle to preserve his identity in a hostile and confusing environment.
• SF thriller, through the atmosphere of suspense and mystery, with captivating action and unexpected twists, the elements of espionage and counter-espionage adding a thriller dimension to the story.
• Speculative science fiction, Budrys speculates on the possible consequences of advanced technology and geopolitical conflicts on human identity, exploring ideas related to cybernetic reconstruction, memory manipulation, and the boundaries between man and machine.
• The Cold War, the theme of tensions between East and West, is a central theme of the book, reflecting the tensions and paranoia during the Cold War.

Budrys creates a tense atmosphere, in which the characters face uncertainty and mistrust (addressing themes of identity and paranoia in a provocative way that continues to be relevant today), the novel asks deep questions about the nature of identity, revealing how the body and memory can influence the perception of the self.

The protagonist, an American scientist named Lucas Martino, is captured by the Soviets during a laboratory accident and, when he is returned to the United States, we discover that he has been seriously injured and cybernetically reconstructed (half of his body is now metal, including his face, essentially being a precursor to the cyborgs of modern science fiction, being a partially robotic man), raising the question of whether he is really Lucas Martino or an infiltrating Soviet impostor (the central theme of the novel), even though he remembers everything, retains his habits and abilities, in the “framework” in which the American authorities (who interrogate Martino intensely, trying to discover if he is really him or a Soviet spy) cannot be sure of his authenticity (emphasizing the idea that a man’s identity cannot be defined by memories or behavior alone, we live in a world where appearances and perceptions can be deceiving, emphasizing that a man’s identity does not depend only on biology or the past, but also on the trust that others place in him gives it to him).

The novel’s characters are complex and well-defined, each with their motivations and secrets, in a captivating story that will keep you on your toes, the reader is invited to solve this mystery together with the investigators, maintaining suspense throughout the book.

Have Spacesuit – Will Travel by Robert A. Heinlein (1958) explores themes of adventure, space exploration, and coming of age in an engaging and accessible style.

“Technically”, this novel falls into the category of:

• Science fiction for young people, the novel is intended primarily for a young audience, featuring a teenage protagonist and themes related to maturation and adventure, the narrative style being accessible and captivating, suitable for younger readers.
• Space opera, presenting an intergalactic adventure, with space travel and encounters with extraterrestrial civilizations, with elements of adventure and space exploration being predominant in the story.
• Hard Science Fiction (within certain limits), Heinlein includes technical and scientific details about space travel and extraterrestrial environments, although the novel is not as rigorous as his adult works, with aspects related to space engineering and adaptation to extraterrestrial environments being present in the story.
• First contact, featuring encounters with various extraterrestrial civilizations, exploring cultural and biological differences, with interactions with aliens being a key element of the plot.

The novel (one of the most appreciated juvenile novels, SF novels for young people) presents the story of a teenager (full of humor and optimism, transmitting a message of hope and confidence in the future, along with positive values, such as courage, perseverance and the importance of friendship), Clifford “Kip” Russell (a teenager passionate about astronomy and space exploration), who wins a space suit in a contest (sponsored by a soap company and carefully repairs it, which demonstrates his technical skill) and finds himself involved in an intergalactic adventure (which begins on Earth and extends to the Moon, a distant planet and even beyond the galaxy).

Thus, Kip goes through a maturation process, learning to assume responsibilities and overcome his limits, even though he is already an intelligent, independent individual and able to use his knowledge to survive in extreme situations (while testing the spacesuit, Kip is captured by aliens along with a girl named Peewee Reisfeld, the daughter of an important scientist, protected by a friendly alien called “The Mother Thing”, a mysterious telepathic being, they are taken to an alien base on the Moon, then travel to a distant planet, where they discover advanced civilizations), where the main antagonist is an evil race of aliens known as Wormfaces, who want to destroy humanity.

Towards the end, Kip and Peewee are brought before an intergalactic court that judges whether humanity should be allowed to continue to develop or be destroyed to prevent future interstellar conflicts (a scene that reflects an important philosophical theme: humanity’s moral responsibility and its maturation as a species), the judges choosing to give humanity a chance, but warning that it must mature to survive in the universe.

Heinlein enthusiastically describes space exploration, presenting various planets and extraterrestrial civilizations, introducing interesting scientific concepts such as space travel, gravity, and extraterrestrial life (many concepts later taken up in modern science fiction works, including Star Trek and The Expanse), the novel is considered one of the best science fiction novels for young adults ever written.

Time Killer (also: Immortality, Inc.) by Robert Sheckley (1958) is a satirical novel that explores themes of immortality, consumerism, and manipulation, in a satirical, humorous, and provocative style, where Sheckley imagines a society in which immortality has become a consumer industry where the elites keep themselves alive by purchasing the bodies of the less fortunate, creating a deeply unequal and ethically questionable system, satirizing extreme capitalism and corporate unethicality.

The novel falls into several subgenres of science fiction, with a particular emphasis on satire and dark humor:

• Satirical science fiction, satirizing aspects of modern society, such as the obsession with youth, excessive consumerism, and manipulation through advertising, Sheckley uses dark humor to address serious themes, creating a satirical and provocative atmosphere.
• Social science fiction, exploring technology’s impact on society, presents a world in which immortality has become a consumer product, addressing themes related to social inequality, manipulation, and control exercised by corporations.
• Speculative science fiction, speculating on the possible consequences of immortality technology on human society.
• Cyberpunk (precursor), because, although it was published before the official emergence of the cyberpunk movement, the novel presents elements that would become characteristic of this subgenre, describing a corporate society, advanced technology, and an atmosphere of cynicism and disillusionment.

Sheckley presents a future world in which immortality has become a consumer product, offered by a corporation called Immortality, Inc., the protagonist, Thomas Blaine (who died in a car accident in the 1950s, but who wakes up in a radically different future, with advanced technologies that allow for the fundamental change of human identity, where his consciousness has been resurrected in another body, a concept that anticipated modern themes of cyberpunk and transhumanism), confronting issues of identity, questioning what it means to be human, in a detailed and believable futuristic world, in which advanced technology has become an integral part of everyday life.

Sheckley uses dark humor to address serious themes, creating a satirical and provocative atmosphere in the novel, satirizing aspects of modern society (addressing themes of immortality and consumerism in a satirical way, themes that continue to be relevant today), such as the obsession with youth, excessive consumerism, and manipulation through advertising (the idea that death can be a business is taken to the extreme, with companies offering body-swapping services and people selling their bodies for money or favors).

Fun fact: A famous scene from the novel involving a character lost in a future New York was dramatized in the pilot episode of the series Futurama, along with numerous other subsequent works of science fiction, including ideas from Altered Carbon (Richard K. Morgan) and its film adaptations and Ghost in the Shell, inspiring Freejack (1992), which, while significantly different from the novel, retains the concept of consciousness transfer, and others.

That being said, let’s move on to the next episode!

Merticaru Dorin Nicolae

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