Pursuit

by Lester del Rey

FEAR cut through the unconscious mind of Wilbur Hawkes. With almost physical violence, it tightened his throat and knifed at his heart. It darted into his numbed brain, screaming at him. He was a soft egg in a vast globe of elastic gelatine. Two creatures swam menacingly through the resisting globe toward him. The gelatine fought against them, but they came on. One was near, and made a mystic pass. He screamed at it, and the gelatine grew stronger, throwing them back and away. Suddenly, the creatures drew back. A door opened, and they were gone. But he couldn't let them go. If they escaped.... Lester del Rey was an American science fiction author and editor at Del Rey Books. He was awarded the E. E. Smith Memorial Award for Imaginative Fiction, Balrog Award and the 11th SFWA Grand Master.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories

92 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1952

About the author

Lester del Rey was an American science fiction author and editor. Del Rey is especially famous for his juvenile novels such as those which are part of the Winston Science Fiction series, and for Del Rey Books, the fantasy and science fiction branch of Ballantine Books edited by Lester del Rey and his fourth wife Judy-Lynn del Rey.

Also published as:
Philip St. John
Eric van Lihn
Erik van Lhin
Kenneth Wright
Edson McCann (with Frederik Pohl)

Reviews

[Zac Stojcevski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I seem to be an outlier in taste compared to some of the negative and ho hum reviews I just read at the completion of the read. I found it suspenseful from beginning to end with a nice plot twist of layers upon oneself. North by northwest meets Memento with a 50s B movie noir. A challenge to the imagination. Now, as one reviewer pointed out that this was mediocre Del Rey - can’t wait for the “good stuff”.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining listening 🔰😀

Another will written thriller adventure mystery by Lester Del Rey about a man 🚹 who does not know how, why or is it really? His friends try to help but they don't know what is going either? I would recommend this novella to anyone looking for a quick read. Enjoy 2021😮

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tedious, and dumber than most '50s SF I've read. I got curious when I discovered an audio version on YouTube. I'm so glad I didn't spend 2 hours on it!

I've got del Rey mentally filed as much better than this.

[Janelle]

Dnf. A distasteful story.

[Mark Rabideau · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just another peculiar overly abrupt sci-fi novella.