In classic pulp 1970s sci fi fashion Doc Smith brings The Galaxy Primes to a stirringly funny and intelligent life. The plot is somewhat convoluted at times, and the scientific theorems are often ridiculous, but that only makes for a more enjoyable lazy afternoon reading. The story follows the adventures of four ‘Primes’, men and women from a far-flung future where humanity that has discovered ways to tap into incredible psychic powers. These ‘Primes’ set out on an untested interstellar spaceship to explore the cosmos, and unravel some startling new cultural and technological truths. Along the way they make allies, and learn about the strange beauty of the universe. At least if they don’t kill each other first.
This novel, well novella, is written in a classic pulp fiction style. It reminds me of a Saturday matinee movie, and plays on all those same emotional levels. The characters are fleshed out well, although fairly stereotypical in nature. I was more impressed with the plot driven nature of the book. It’s a really quick read that while containing little or no actual literary value engaged throughout. One of the things I particularly like about this book (as well as countless other novels of the sort) is the unexplained technology. The future is set so far ahead of today’s thinking that explanations aren’t really practical. And so while this leads to less than hard science, it clears a convenient path for a more structured story. This is a fun book with fun ideas. It won’t change your life, it won’t really make you think too hard; but its excellence lies in its sheer entertainment value.
Undoubtedly, most readers will never find this random 1975 short novel by ‘Doc’ Smith, so I’d like to recommend that you pick up any other books of this type you can. You see, at least for me it’s not that this book itself was so great, it’s that this genre of fiction has sadly seemed to die out over the years. If your looking for a fun not so intellectual, yet highly entertaining Sunday afternoon novel to curl up with, I can imagine nothing better than a classic, entertaining, and reasonably forgettable book like this one. Enjoy.
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