New Worlds Science Fiction No. 39

About this issue

This issue of the British science fiction magazine features "The Time Masters," a three-part serial by Wilson Tucker combining mystery and SF elements, beginning with a prologue depicting a space disaster: a meteorite strikes a ship, forcing the protagonist into vacuum while his wife remains aboard during evacuation. The survivor lands on an unknown planet, uncertain whether others escaped. The issue also contains four short stories: "The Single Ship" by Alan Barclay, "Any More at Home Like You" by Chad Oliver, "Life Agency" by Dan Morgan, and an article on the 1955 Fantasy Award. The cover art by Quinn relates to the Tucker serial. Editor John Carnell provides an editorial discussing whether modern SF has become too abstract, with contemporary trends toward psychological and sociological themes potentially alienating new readers compared to earlier action-adventure focus. The issue includes commentary on visits from authors John Wyndham and Alfred Bester.