Astounding Stories, August, 1931, Various [100 best novels of all time .txt] 📗
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Please give us a story by them every month.—Ray Y. Tilford, Rockport, Ky.
"And Here I Am"
Dear Editor:
It's about time for me to concede that your or "our" magazine is the best I have read. Ten issues have come into my hands and I am perfectly well satisfied with the line of fiction that you publish. I have read about fifty different magazines on the market, and I am sure that Astounding Stories is the best of them all. I have followed the magazine for seven months and that is the best amount of reading any magazine can boast for me. In your case, if the magazine lasts seventy years, you can be sure that I will read it for that period of time (provided I live that long).
I notice that several brickbats have come into your hands and that you have printed them. Well, that shows sportsmanship on your part. I would suggest to those who are not satisfied with Astounding Stories to duck their head in a pail of water and pull it out after a period of ten minutes. Those who criticize the stories because of the lack of science have no idea what it takes to write a story. Please be willing to concede the Author the right of way. He is giving his theories and not yours. However, in some cases where the truth is an established fact, I can see where the Readers may present a justified argument. But they should remember that we are not all perfect and that mistakes are made by all. It is not fair to criticize an Author by denouncing him.
I don't favor reprints at all, but I can stay with the majority if they do. It is a foregone conclusion that you can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all the time. In this case substitute the word "please" in the saying for "fool."
I am at present reading Charles W. Diffin's novel "The Pirate Planet." It is one of the best interplanetary novels that I have ever read. Give us some more of Diffin; he has the goods. I must say that you have an immensely long list of popular authors, and it must cost quite a little amount of money to maintain them.
Keep the size of the magazine as it is now; it fits conveniently into my bookcase, and I believe many of your Readers will say the same.
Now some of my favorite stories. "The Ape-Men Of Xlotli" was one of the best stories that I have read in years. Give us some more along this line. It offers rest after one has just finished reading an interplanetary novel.
"Monsters of Moyen" was another story that I greatly enjoyed. Very few[280] people believe that the world shall ever have a conqueror again, and I am one of them; but it is interesting to see if there ever will be a conqueror and what means he shall employ to get that title.
"Brigands of the Moon" was the worst story I read in your magazine. That must have been Mr. Cummings' off story. But he certainly has come back fine through his later stories.
"The Tentacles from Below" was another great masterpiece. Anthony Gilmore's tale was the first that I have read of that author, and I will be delighted to see more.
Funny how I developed into a Reader of Science Fiction. I exhausted all other fields of reading, and having nothing else to read I delved into a science magazine and here I am.—Michael Racano, 51 Brookwood St., East Orange, N. J.
Turns to It First
Dear Editor:
The June issue of Astounding Stories can't be beat. What an issue! As it seems to be the usual thing, I'll start at the front and go to the back.
The cover: very colorful: another proof of Wesso's talent. And speaking of artists, I was very pleasantly surprised at the unexpected illustration by Paul. I certainly hope you can get him, if not for cover pictures, at least for the inside illustrations. (Too bad you are modest about printing complimentary letters, for I mean this to be all roses, no brickbats.)
"The Man from 2071"—another good story of "John Hanson's." "Manape the Mighty," although somewhat like the Tarzan series, is a wonderfully fine story. "Holocaust"—good. "The Earthman's Burden," as all of Starzl's, was exceptionally good. "The Exile of Time"—getting better every issue.
"The Readers' Corner" as usual was one of the most interesting parts of the magazine. I always turn to it first, for I know I will have an enjoyable time reading every letter. And, by the way, the significance of "Manape" just came to me. Don't know why I didn't see it before.—Linus Hogenmiller, 502 N. Washington St., Farmington, Mo.
Likes the "Joke"
Dear Editor:
Although I have read only two issues of Astounding Stories, I feel the urge to write a line. The June number was better than the May issue. Arthur J. Burks' story, "Manape the Mighty," was excellent, though I am not so strong for the idea of having Barter escape the apes and carry on his experiments as suggested by the Author. It would be against common sense to have the apes allow him to make a getaway. The prize winner in the May issue was "Dark Moon." There might be a sequel to that, and I'd like to see it.
I like a little variety in a magazine. The Readers who say they do not care for stories scientifically impossible may be right; in that case "The Exile of Time" is the greatest joke ever written—yet I like it immensely. One thing that is impossible is the destruction of matter. It can be broken up, or condensed as in "When Caverns Yawned," but not destroyed completely.
Mr. W. H. Flowers evidently has a grudge against the fair sex. The love interest is not necessary in short stories, it's true; but what kind of a long novel would it be if the hero had no incentive, nothing to risk his life for, except a possible word of praise from the scientific world?
No matter how much a man loves his work it is my opinion that he would not die for the purpose of proving his point.
Not being able to take a hint, the knockers still appear to mar an otherwise perfect day—this time in the person of Harry Pancoast. If Astounding Stories ever gets so bad that not even one story in it is of interest to me—I'll just drop out of the waiting line—and keep my mouth closed.—Richard Waite, 8 South Ave., Warsaw, N. Y.
Never Noticed That
Dear Editor:
Just bought my latest copy of Astounding Stories, and what an edition! First, the cover (Wesso has all others beat by a mile). Then, the stories. Well, take "Manape the Mighty": it is one of the best Science Fiction stories I have ever read. "The Exile of Time" was great.
Have you ever noticed that almost every critic of Science Fiction is either a teacher or a female? Jim Nicholson and I certainly know that.—Billy Roche, Sec. Interplanetary Dept. of the B. S. B., 101 St. Elmo, San Francisco, Cal.
Sunflowers for All
Dear Editor:
Miracles do happen! I was never so thoroughly astounded in all my life as when I received the great June issue of "our" magazine with straight edges! Thank you and all concerned for publishing "our" magazine sans rough edges. The smooth edges ought to cut the reading time of Astounding Stories down to an hour and forty-five minutes as we always used to waste a lot of time fumbling about with the pages.
But if I was astounded at the long awaited straight edges, I was still more amazed at the great innovation of an illustration by Paul! Let's have more and more of his remarkable drawings. Astounding Stories is truly great now with its fine Editor, splendid Authors, excellent stories, worthy illustrations, essential "Readers' Corner," Paul (Ah!) and good binding! Yes! You heard right! I said good binding! Of course it makes amusing material to write about[281] the binding and remark that it comes off after once handling it, or that the paper is soon worn to shreds, but such matters shouldn't be honestly believed. I have every issue of Astounding Stories (eighteen great numbers!) and each and every issue is as good as new. I have never had any trouble with the covers departing from the rest of the magazine or the pages becoming moldy.
Sewell Peaslee Wright's "The Man from 2071" is just perfect. I enjoy nothing more than one of his realistic stories of Commander John Hanson. We want more! Arthur J. Burks' novelette, "Manape the Mighty," was clever. I had a premonition that I wouldn't like this story, and in fact told a friend so. It just goes to prove that hunches can be wrong. Charles Willard Diffin should be proud of his "Holocaust." I'm sure that most Readers enjoyed it as much as I did. Of course, Starzl's "The Earthman's Burden" was a peach. His stories of other planets are always weird, bizarre, and yet they seem to ring true. That is the magic of R. F. Starzl! Paul illustrated it in his own unapproachable style. "The Exile of Time," as everyone agrees, is Cummings' best. I am waiting for its thrilling conclusion.
I am one who would like Astounding Stories to be a large size magazine, but it can easily be seen that everyone can't be pleased. If you'll just leave it the way it is—i. e., straight edges, illustrations by Paul, same authors and same excellent Editor—I'll be satisfied.—Forrest J. Ackerman, 530 Staples Ave., San Francisco, Cal.
"Great Relief"
Dear Editor:
The story, "Manape the Mighty," by Arthur J. Burks, was by far one of the most thrilling and educational stories that ever appeared in Astounding Stories. Of course, others will disagree, but an Author cannot please all. It is of great relief to change from the monotonous every day kind of stories that appear in Collier's, Liberty and The Saturday Evening Post to the refreshing and soothing "impossible" type of A. S.
Ever since the January issue, I've been an ardent pursuer of Astounding Stories. To me it is even more astounding that I seem to like it more and more each succeeding issue. I find it, undoubtedly, the best magazine of its type. I've tried others of similar type, but it seems as if my mind couldn't grasp the knack of their stories, which were either boresome with scientific and technical explanations, or, as one might say, "not a darn thing to them."
R. F. Starzl is a wonderful author. Ray Cummings, Sewell Peaslee Wright, Charles Willard Diffin, Captain S. P. Meek, Edmond Hamilton, F. V. W. Mason and Murray Leinster are excellent.
There is one thing that I'd like to see in Astounding Stories, and I'm sure many of the Readers would, too. It is always my habit to read while eating. To finish the story in time, I pick the shortest one. Sad to say, Astounding has rather long stories. How about an occasional short story? I'm sure your readers will approve. They would go over with a bang!—P. Nikolaioff, 4325 S. Seeley Ave., Chicago, Ill.
Sometimes Gets Mad
Dear Editor:
Although I have been an interested reader of Astounding Stories since its inception, this is the first time I have written. Astounding Stories have been so good lately that I just had to write and compliment you on your good work. There are, however, some criticisms I have to make. The first is: I think Mr. W. H. Flowers of Pittsburgh, Pa, is right when he says you sometimes have too much love in some of your stories. The second is, I think it would be a good thing to put notes at the end of a page to explain some of the terms for the Readers who read mostly for the science part. That is what I do, and I get mad when I read something that does not give me the inside dope on it. Outside of that I think Astounding Stories can't be beat.
One more thing before I close. Keep Capt. S. P. Meek on your staff or I will stop reading Astounding Stories, as much as I would hate to do that. I think he is your best author by a long shot.—Wilson Adams, Seat Pleasant, Md.
From a "Female Woman"
Dear Editor:
The comment of Jim Nicholson in the June issue that it is only "the females" who consider him "cracked" for reading Science Fiction, and only women who do not care for science in the stories, moves me to break into "The Readers' Corner" for the first time.
I happen to be a "female woman," and it is the men in our family and circle of friends who laugh at me for buying every Science Fiction magazine
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