THE BEST SCIENCE-FICTION STORIES 1949

A most persuasive introduction to this collection traces the history of the fantasy-science story, gives a certain respectability to the genre, and offers an interesting preface to the stories themselves. Which help, by being well above the usual pulp level, to bear out the thesis. Among the authors, Fredric Brown (who has a full length fantasy, What Mad Universe (Dutton-P. 444) and Lewis Padgett are known in the mystery field; among the stories there is more than usual variety. Not only robots and space travel, solar systems and dimensions beyond the normal, but genius mentalities, visits to Mars, cosmic forces, and applied science are all here and the plot and characterization more ably handled. A well worked out selection which would have been helped by a less hackneyed jacket.