Out of the Silence [Paperback]

Erle Cox (Author), John H. Costello (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2006

A Glorious Danger Hung Over The World! All Alan Dundas wanted, when he started dig-ging into the ancient clay river bed on his land, was a watering hole for his stock. In 1900s Australia, the land without a history, the last thing he expected to find was a dome of golden metal beneath his land. Or a series of traps barring his entrance, each deadlier than the last, which drove him in single-minded determination to get to the bot-tom of the mystery, heedless of what he might find, or what threats he might bring to life out of the si-lence of the past. Capricorn Publishing's 2006 revised edition, author-ized by the Cox estate, returns the major cuts made in the original 1919 text in the Robertson and Mullens 1947 and later editions, thus becoming the first complete edition of Out of the Silence ever published! Go On-Line at www.FossickerBooks.com for more in-formation on Cox, his works, reviews of the original edi-tion, and more Capricorn Publishing titles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: Capricorn Publishing (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977475735
• ISBN-13: 978-0977475735
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,195,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Early Australian SF, March 25, 2004

By 

Dave_42 "Dave_42" (Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out of the silence

Out of the Silence by Erle Cox was published in Novel form in 1925. Before that, it appeared as a serial in the Argus, which was a daily newspaper in Melbourne. In 1949, it tied for 13th on the Arkham Survey of `Basic SF Titles', but unlike many of the other books on that list, it has disappeared from notice. Only occasionally does it seem to get mentioned, and then it is referred to as the first major Australian SF novel and not as an all-time classic.

The copy that I managed to find was published by Sirius Quality Paperbacks in 1981, and is 416 pages in length. The story is kind of a combination of the Atlantis myth with the fairy tale Sleeping Beauty. I think one of the reasons it has not lasted as well as some other classic SF titles, is that it is fairly predictable. I knew from reading the prologue where the book was going for the most part, and it takes its time getting there. On the plus side, it is enjoyable reading, even if you know where it is going.

At the risk of being a small spoiler, there is one part of the plot that is important, and was not predictable from the prologue alone. The racial issue given the context of this book being written between the two world wars is interesting, and somewhat foretelling. I suspect that it is for this reason that the book was highly rated in 1949 when August Derleth conducted the Arkham Survey. However, even that issue, once it is introduced it plays out as one would expect.

If the above review sounds negative, then I should clearly state that I think this is an enjoyable book to read. Some may find it a bit slow paced, but I would say it is above average, but not enough above to give it four stars.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars KATRINKA'S REVIEW - 'OUT OF THE SILENCE', January 31, 2000

By 

Katrinka Roberson (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out of the Silence (Classics of Science Fiction) (Hardcover)

I had the pleasure of reading this book over 20 years ago! Also, my book is signed by the author, Mr. Erle cox.

This story takes place in the mid-1900's on an Australian ranch where an ancient object is dug up. (I won't disclose what that object is!) The story keeps the reader in suspense and it's difficult to put the book down!

This book is classic science-fiction and romance at its best...

5.0 out of 5 stars Australian SF Reader, July 31, 2007

By 

Blue Tyson "- Research Finished" (Legion clubhouse) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Out of the Silence (Paperback)

A quite sophisticated effort. A Victorian man living outside the town of Glen Cairn discovers an artifact, while looking to dig a water hole for his wine-growing property. Unlike the reader, he hasn't read the prologue, so does not know that an advanced human woman is contained within.

Amidst some highly entertaining social satire, she uses him to learn from, and looks to implement the weeding out of the 'inferior' races, as they had done in the past before they were destroyed. This past history is detailed through the later part of the novel, and is not dull.

The protagonist is basically incapable of thinking too logically about this stunning traveller through time, and it is up to his friend, and once-girlfriend to attempt to bring him to his senses. With the help of what is apparently, amazingly, an honest and brave politician, the Prime Minister, who is happily in Melbourne at the time, they manage to stall her for a time from bringing back to life her childhood friend, and superior! Who happens to be contained in a similar artifact, in what is now the Himalayas.

Thus, of course, a tragic love triangle has ensued.

This book deserves its reputation.