Customer Reviews

Entities: The Selected Novels of Eric Frank Russell

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This is a great collection. It includes five novels and 3 short stories from the all too often forgotten Eric Frank Russell (January 6, 1905 - February 28, 1978). This collection was published in 2001, and along with "Major Ingredients", published a year earlier, a lot of his short fiction and most of his best novels are once again available. In addition to Russell's work, this also contains introductions for each of the novels by Jack L. Chalker, as well as an introduction for the whole book by the editor Rick Katze. The following is a list of the novels:

"Wasp" is probably Russell's best known novel. Published originally in 1957, it is the story of James Mowry who is asked to be an agent behind enemy lines in Earth's war with the Sirian Combine. He is asked to be like the wasp in the car that distracts the driver and causes an accident. When this novel was first published, it was edited to fit the predetermined length of Avalon Books. The version in this collection is the unedited version of the novel. This novel was nominated for the 1998 Prometheus Hall of Fame award.

"Sentinels from Space" was first published under the title "The Star Watchers" in "Startling Stories", November 1951. In this novel, aliens who are watching Earth but who are posing as humans, become involved in preventing a war between different factions.

"Call Him Dead" was first published in "Astounding Science Fiction" from August - October of 1955. It was later published under the title "Three to Conquer". In this story Wade Harper is, as far as he knows, the only telepath in existence. When he learns that aliens are taking over the minds of humans he needs to find a way to stop the invasion.

"Next Of Kin" was written three times. It was first submitted to "Astounding Science Fiction" and rejected as a novel. It was then trimmed down to a novelette and titled "Plus X", which was published in "Astounding Science Fiction" in June of 1956. Next it was expanded but not to its original length and published as "The Space Willies", along with several short stories in 1958. Finally it was published in its full length and original title in 1959. In this novel, a scout pilot is the first to use a new engine design that will allow him to travel much faster and farther then ever before, in an attempt to scout the enemy's solar systems. When he becomes captured, he learns that there are many similarities between Earth and their enemies, which he uses to his full advantage.

"Sinister Barrier" was the first novel published in "Unknown" in March of 1939. However, Russell insisted on updating this novel before he would allow it to be published again in the United States. It is the updated version that is included in this collection. In this story, Bill Graham is investigating the suspicious deaths of many of Earth's best scientists. This novel was listed as the 18th best book on the 1952 Astounding/Analog All-Time Poll.

The three short stories are: "Legwork", which was first published in "Astounding Science Fiction" in April of 1956; "Mana", which was first published in "Astounding Science Fiction" in December of 1937; and "Mechanical Mice", which was first published in "Astounding Science Fiction" in January of 1941 as by Maurice G. Hugi. This was the only story for which Russell used that name, other stories by Maurice G. Hugi are by the author of that name.

Russell was a gem when I was young; his humor and flippant attitude always was good for some laughs. None of that has changed, and the much-wider collection of this tome allows new fun as well. I's well worth the cost of it, as searching down originals would easily cost four or five times as much, if it could be found at all.

I read The Wasp many years ago when I was a teenager and have been trying to get another copy without success. When I saw this version I jumped at the chance and thoroughly enjoyed the other stories as well. While they are perhaps a little dated, given when they were written, they are still well worth reading and provide a fun experience.

I first encountered Eric Frank Russell's name while reading an interview with Terry Pratchett--Pratchett recommended that everyone read Russell's novel WASP, and so off I went to find this long-out-of-print and nearly forgotten classic. Not easy!

Thanks to the New England Science Fiction Association, WASP and others of Russell's best novels are reprinted in a nicely formatted, thoughtfully edited volume. Kudos to the whole "publishing pseudopod" that presented Russell's work so carefully.

Even after thirty and forty years, these novels seem fresh and topical. Russell was a witty writer who gave an unexpected twist to even the most standard plots. I was simply delighted by this book!

Considering I started reading him in the 1950's, I'm no stranger to Russell's works. Also considering that I haven't read anything of his for over 30 years, this collection became available at a very good time.

He was one of my favorites. It's particularly interesting to see his style progress from the 19th century, ponderous prose of "Sinister Barrier" to the hard-hitting, fast paced
"Call Him Dead", and into the sarcastic political wit of "Next of Kin".

The technologies may seem dated, but ahead of their respective times. The plots are brisk and innovative, and he makes them plausible. Any one of the novels in this book could easily get a mild make-over. Add computers, cell phones, and satellites, and you have a state-of-the-art science fiction action yarn.

Superb, Inspiring, Imaginative
Eric Frank Russel is together with Larry Niven the two best sf-writers I know of.

I can re-read Russell's works over and over and enjoy them as much or more each time. I was so elated to find in my 50's that Russell did indeed write more books than just "Men, Martians and Machines" - which I read and thoroughly loved as a young boy. One of my favorite writers. By all means read it.

Eric Frank Russell is a terrific science fiction writer and storyteller. While his short stories often end weakly, I didn't find the same to be true of his novels.

The only thing keeping him from a five-star rating in my book is that he never really develops the characters, just leaves them as people with little or no personality. When I read fiction that has really good character development, I find myself missing the characters for a few days after I finish the book. When I finish an E. F. Russell novel, I can barely even remember the characters!

On the other hand, the stories are superb and contain many interesting ideas and scenarios. Definitely a book worth adding to your library.

Contains all the novels by the (multiple?) Hugo winner. While he's best known for his lighter stuff, this showcases his ability. He should be better known.

Selected Novels Of Eric Frank Russell: Entities provides the complete novels of Wasp, Sinister Barrier, Call Him Dead, Next Of Kin and Sentinels Of Space plus three bonus short stories. Russell specializes in plots which blend humor with psychological insights. From a battle which will decide the destiny of the human race to a telepath's struggles with microscopic life, these novels offer twists and perspectives not seen in modern science fiction. Highly recommended both for newcomers and prior fans of Russell's hard to find works.