New Worlds Science Fiction No. 86

About this issue

This issue of New Worlds (August/September 1959, Vol. 29, No. 86) contains four science fiction stories. The lead novelette, "The Birdcage" by Peter Hawkins, concerns tensions between human settlers and Martians on Mars. After discovering a mysterious artifact called the "Birdcage" created by a Martian philosopher-engineer, human engineer Mike Henderson receives a confession letter from the elderly Martian Siolem admitting he murdered a human colleague named Johnny Daysh by sabotaging his air supply. The story explores the philosophical implications of this act. The issue also includes three shorter works: Donald Malcolm's "Complex," E.R. James's "Beyond Realism," and Philip E. High's "Pseudopath." Kenneth Bulmer's serial "The Patient Dark" continues in part two. An editorial notes production delays from a printing strike and previews upcoming stories by James White and J.G. Ballard.