Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 53 — page 142: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION Stuart Mill managed to say some- thing about a remarkable man, while passing over his political philosophy—a surprising omission, I should think, since it is surely this which keeps his memory green among non-philosophers. Among the stories, the first place. goes to Servant Problem. The idea is original, the style crisp and humor- ous. It is a pity that the last para- graph contains too many words. We are still reading after we have seen the joke. This is, however, a small point and it does not make the story any the less gdod. The second place I would award to Recoil and Last Journey. Both stories are competent, if not in- spired, rehashes of themes used before. Neither of them, I think, should have been included. They are not without merit, but your magazine has printed better. The last place I reserve for the long novel The Tabarni Document. I found it unreal and lifeless, and here I am puzzled. Presumably you, as Editor, thought it meritorious. I confess, however, that this story and all those resembling it, never catch my interest. Neither of the two main characters is brought to life; both remain two-dimensional; and the mysterious Tabarni, after showing himself, is ignored during the denouement. The beginning and end of this story are linked by a similarity of language, but I have found no logical connection be- tween them. Either prologue or epilogue could have been omitted. If this is right, then The Tabarni Document is not a good story. But you think it is a good story, or you would not have printed it. The third term of this syllogism has not yet been vouchsafed me, but I suspect that it points out that you and I have different principles of selection. I have told you mine; will you tell me yours? J. P. C. Toalster, 2 Stanley Road, Lindley, Huddersfield. Sure we will. We choose the kind of stories we think the majority of readers will like. Sometimes we try a story about which we’re doubtful, just to see what you all say, and to get a better idea of what you like. Sometimes, too, we make mistakes! NO GRID In the No. 50 issue of A.S.F. I noticed one error in the story The Hidden Treasure of Kalin, by E. C. Tubb. The error was ‘“‘—the intermediate frequency amplifier, a diode valve, is incorporated in the circuits.” This statement is some- thing that is impossible. To have any amplification at all in any radio circuit, it is necessary to have at least one grid in a valve, but the diode does not have any grids. This is the first time I have written a letter pointing out an error in a story since I started taking Authen- tic twenty issues ago, because it is the first time I have been really stirred to write. On the whole I find Authentic avery good magazine, well-produced, with the correct mixture of fact and fiction to keep the magazine interesting from cover to cover. Keep the magazine going as it is now and I feel sure you will spread further than ever round the world. 2599875 S.A.C. Candlin, R.A.F. Transmitters, Lund, Nr. Driffield, E. Yorks. Well, you ought to know, Mr. Candlin! Thanks for pointing out the mistake. 141 comiclooks.corn