Sam Merwin, Jr. (1910–1996)
Author of The House of Many Worlds
About the Author
Disambiguation Notice:
Samuel Kimball Merwin Jr. (1910-1996), American mystery fiction writer and science fiction author and editor. He mostly published fiction as Sam Merwin, Jr., but his pseudonyms included Elizabeth Deare Bennett, Matt Lee, Jacques Jean Ferrat, and Carter Sprague
Note that this is not the same person as Samuel Merwin (1874-1936), who is his father. Be careful not to combine them. Thanks.
Series
Works by Sam Merwin, Jr.
Thrilling Wonder Stories, August 1948 — Editor — 6 copies
Startling Stories, January 1947 — Editor — 6 copies
Thrilling Wonder Stories, August 1949 — Editor — 5 copies
Startling Stories, May 1947 4 copies
Thrilling Wonder Stories, December 1948 — Editor — 4 copies
Thrilling Wonder Stories, August 1947 — Editor — 4 copies
The Sex War 4 copies
Fantastic Story Quarterly, Spring 1950 — Editor — 3 copies
Thrilling Wonder Stories, April 1950 3 copies
Startling Stories, Spring 1946 3 copies
Startling Stories, July 1947 3 copies
Startling Stories, September 1947 3 copies
Startling Stories, March 1948 3 copies
Thrilling Wonder Stories, April 1949 3 copies
Startling Stories, January 1951 3 copies
Fantastic Story Magazine, Fall 1951 — Editor — 2 copies
Thrilling Wonder Stories, Spring 1945 — Editor — 2 copies
Startling Stories, November 1950 2 copies
Startling Stories, Fall 1946 2 copies
Startling Stories, July 1951 2 copies
Startling Stories, March 1949 2 copies
Startling Stories, January 1949 2 copies
Startling Stories, March 1947 2 copies
Startling Stories, March 1946 2 copies
Startling Stories, May 1949 2 copies
Thrilling Wonder Stories, Fall 1946 2 copies
Startling Stories, July 1949 2 copies
The Killer to Come 1 copy
Anthony the Absolute 1 copy
Fantastic Story Magazine, Summer 1951 — Editor — 1 copy
Kniv bakifrån 1 copy
pistolen sätter punkt 1 copy
Lambikin 1 copy
Associated Works
Science Fiction Stories November 1956 — Contributor — 4 copies
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Merwin, Sam, Jr.
- Legal name
- Merwin, Samuel Kimball, Jr.
- Other names
- Merwin, Sam
Bennett, Elizabeth Deare (pseudonym)
Lee, Matt (pseudonym)
Ferrat, Jacques Jean (pseudonym)
Flam, Vincent (pseudonym)
Sprague, Carter (show all 7)
Sprague, Carter, III - Birthdate
- 1910-04-28
- Date of death
- 1996-01-13
- Gender
- male
- Nationality
- USA
- Birthplace
- Plainfield, New Jersey, USA
- Place of death
- Los Angeles, California, USA
- Occupations
- editor
writer - Relationships
- Merwin, Samuel (father)
- Awards and honors
- Hugo Nominee (Professional Editor, Retro-Hugo, [1946], 1996)
- Disambiguation notice
- Samuel Kimball Merwin Jr. (1910-1996), American mystery fiction writer and science fiction author and editor. He mostly published fiction as Sam Merwin, Jr., but his pseudonyms included Elizabeth Deare Bennett, Matt Lee, Jacques Jean Ferrat, and Carter Sprague
Note that this is not the same person as Samuel Merwin (1874-1936), who is his father. Be careful not to combine them. Thanks.
Members
Reviews
Lists
You May Also Like
Associated Authors
Statistics
- Works
- 116
- Also by
- 6
- Members
- 535
- Popularity
- #46,549
- Rating
- 3.4
- Reviews
- 16
- ISBNs
- 21
- Languages
- 2
Elspeth Marriner poetess and journalist is sent along with photographer Mack Fraser to cover mysterious events along the South Carolina coastline. They are directed to a house on an offshore island which proves to be a gateway to several parallel worlds. The master of the house tells them that they must deliver some important information to a rebel leader to stop a major conflict. They discover an America that has developed differently to their own country; there was a divergence in 1814 and the country to which they have been transported is called the Columbian Republic. They are equipped with a car that can power up to become an aeroplane in a country that has missed out on developing an heavier than air flying machine. This is a bargaining chip that should strengthen the hand of the rebels. The adventure begins when they arrive at the beautiful city of Baton Rouge. The story becomes more complex when a third parallel world must be visited in order to gain access to more technology to avert a catastrophe in the Columbian Republic.
Elspeth Marriner and Mack Fraser are an unlikely couple, but their different skill sets make them a good team and they gradually come to realise that they can work together. The book is subtitled an Elspeth Marriner novel and she is the strongest character, unusual in science fiction from this era. The unlikely couple are helped along the way by Juana from the mystery house who acts as an adviser, with links to the other worlds. Mack Fraser's roughneck approach to life is called into question, but he has his uses as a technical expert and muscle when needed. The novel has a more enlightened view towards racial differences, with Juana saying that the biggest problem in all the parallel worlds is the slow movement towards racial equality. Elspeth falls in love with the black general of the rebel army and one wonders if these viewpoints hindered the popularity of the novel. However let's not get too carried away, because it is an adventure story at the end of the day, easy to read, but perhaps more subtle than some. I enjoyed the story and so 3 stars.… (more)