Frozen Hell
Just finished reading "Frozen Hell" by John W. Campbell, Jr., released by Wildside Press.
"Frozen Hell" is John W. Campbell, Jr.'s original version of his classic alien invasion/horror story "Who Goes There?" that was published back in 1938.
Scientists stationed in Antarctica discover what appears to be an alien space ship in a deep chasm in the frozen ice. As they chip and burn their way to the vessel made of an unknown metal, they discover a door partially open and inside a hideous-looking Thing encased in ice. Working diligently in sub-zero temperatures, the men are able to transport the creature back to their camp where they hope to slowly melt the ice around it, dissect, and analyze what appears to be an alien being much older and far different than any life form ever found on earth.
Amazingly, there has been an “overlooked” secret about "Who Goes There?" for over six decades.” The published story is but one version of the tale Campbell wrote and “a dramatically longer and more detailed version” was discovered in the Harvard Library archives housing Campbell’s manuscripts. It has now been printed under its original title, "Frozen Hell" by Wildside Press containing almost forty-five more pages than "Who Goes There?" with a preface by Alec Nevala-Lee, an Introduction by Robert Silverberg, illustrations by Bob Eggledon, and edited by John Gregory Betancourt. Nevala-Lee and Silverberg give readers a fascinating account of the manuscript’s discovery, the history of the story including an earlier predecessor by Campbell, “The Brain-Stealers of Mars” from which Campbell borrowed some major themes, the abridgment of "Who Goes There?" making it a faster-moving tale, and the accomplishments of John W. Campbell, Jr. The longer "Frozen Hell" allows the author time for more character development and a slower descent into madness and chaos.
Which is the better version? "Who Goes There?" or the original version "Frozen Hell"? Each reader must decide that for himself.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://wildsidepress.com/frozen-hell...
"Frozen Hell" is John W. Campbell, Jr.'s original version of his classic alien invasion/horror story "Who Goes There?" that was published back in 1938.
Scientists stationed in Antarctica discover what appears to be an alien space ship in a deep chasm in the frozen ice. As they chip and burn their way to the vessel made of an unknown metal, they discover a door partially open and inside a hideous-looking Thing encased in ice. Working diligently in sub-zero temperatures, the men are able to transport the creature back to their camp where they hope to slowly melt the ice around it, dissect, and analyze what appears to be an alien being much older and far different than any life form ever found on earth.
Amazingly, there has been an “overlooked” secret about "Who Goes There?" for over six decades.” The published story is but one version of the tale Campbell wrote and “a dramatically longer and more detailed version” was discovered in the Harvard Library archives housing Campbell’s manuscripts. It has now been printed under its original title, "Frozen Hell" by Wildside Press containing almost forty-five more pages than "Who Goes There?" with a preface by Alec Nevala-Lee, an Introduction by Robert Silverberg, illustrations by Bob Eggledon, and edited by John Gregory Betancourt. Nevala-Lee and Silverberg give readers a fascinating account of the manuscript’s discovery, the history of the story including an earlier predecessor by Campbell, “The Brain-Stealers of Mars” from which Campbell borrowed some major themes, the abridgment of "Who Goes There?" making it a faster-moving tale, and the accomplishments of John W. Campbell, Jr. The longer "Frozen Hell" allows the author time for more character development and a slower descent into madness and chaos.
Which is the better version? "Who Goes There?" or the original version "Frozen Hell"? Each reader must decide that for himself.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
TEN STARS!
https://wildsidepress.com/frozen-hell...
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