The Changeling
by A. E. van Vogt
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Despite it's abrupt and unconvincing conclusion, this story functions much better as a standalone novella, than as the major component in the The Moonbeast- the worst fixup novel of VanVogt's that I have read.
There's a nice edge of paranoia to the novella. In my mind's eye, I can almost see Phil Dick, his pupils dilating, as he read Van Vogt works like this.
There's a nice edge of paranoia to the novella. In my mind's eye, I can almost see Phil Dick, his pupils dilating, as he read Van Vogt works like this.
Reads like a serialized novel that was made up as it went along without a strong plot. The author introduces and tries to develop a couple of ideas (toti-potent individuals and enhancing females with an Equalizer drug to make them "equal to a man"), but neither of these ideas, nor anything else in this novel, is developed into a coherent whole. Not a good effort from a Grand Master of Science Fiction.
Readable, but making little sense at all. The cover mentions Aliens, but there are no identifiable aliens. The plot stumbles along messily, jumping time and location frequently with plot holes the size of Canada slumbering towards an unsatisfactory ending.
On the plus side, its short.
On the plus side, its short.
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4,379 works; 123 members
Author Information
334+ Works 22,438 Members
A. E. Van Vogt was born on April 26, 1912 in Manitoba, Canada. He graduated from the University of Ottawa in 1928. His first story sales were to true story confession magazines in the early 1930s while he was working as a census clerk and representative of Maclean Trade Papers. He wrote plays for Canadian radio and in 1939, he began submitting show more stories and serials to Astounding Science Fiction. He wrote more than 35 novels during his lifetime including Slan, The Weapon Shops of Isher, The World of Null-A, The Pawns of Null-A, The Weapons Makers, The Violent Man, The Silkie, The Battle of Forever, and The House That Stood Still. He died on January 26, 2000 at the age of 87. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
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Common Knowledge
- Original publication date
- 1942, 1944, 1950
- First words
- "In the four years since you've been here," said Nypers, "this firm has done very well."
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Craig gave the necessary orders as the car bowled down into a brief valley, and then up into the high, cool, sweet hills beyond.
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- Members
- 147
- Popularity
- 221,986
- Reviews
- 3
- Rating
- (2.45)
- Languages
- English
- Media
- Paper
- ISBNs
- 3
- ASINs
- 13
