New Worlds Science Fiction No. 42

About this issue

This issue of the British science fiction magazine features leading stories exploring near-future legal and technical problems. The lead novelette, "Lawyer at Large" by E.C. Tubb, presents attorney Mark Engles defending a sabotage case in a future society where cybernetic evaluators replace human juries, raising questions about culpability and emotional responsibility. The issue also contains short stories including "Puzzle for Spacemen" by John Brunner, "Panel Game" by Brian W. Aldiss, "The Jakandi Moduli" by Francis G. Rayer, "Prime Essential" by Frank Weight, and "Getaway" by Michael Harrison. Technical content includes "Solar Interference" by John Newman. A profile section features author Brian Aldiss, noting his military service, literary ambitions spanning both serious fiction and comedy, and his win in the Observer science fiction competition. The editorial discusses declining American SF publishing and debate over whether science fiction is becoming indistinguishable from general fiction.