New Worlds Science Fiction No. 38

About this issue

New Worlds (Volume 13, No. 38, August 1955) features a substantial novelette and four short stories. The issue opens with a biographical profile of Scottish author J. T. McIntosh, chronicling his literary journey from early writing through his 1950 breakthrough sales to Astounding and Planet magazines. McIntosh is noted for prioritizing technique and character development, frequently rewriting novelettes multiple times before submission. The primary story, "The Way Home" by McIntosh, follows seven human crew members of the spaceship Athens who wake drugged on an alien world. The indigenous Miclans—"Pinkies"—have stolen their ship, leaving only lifeboats as escape vessels. The narrative details how the initially cautious exploratory team gradually lowered their guard with the seemingly friendly aliens, ultimately suffering technological theft. Additional contents include short fiction by Lester del Rey ("Alien"), E. C. Tubb ("See No Evil"), K. Houston Brunner ("Fiery Pillar"), and Kenneth Bulmer ("Total Recall"), plus an article on cosmic rays by John Newman. Editor John Carnell's editorial argues science fiction's future lies in emotionally resonant human characterization applied to speculative futures.