The Wicked Cyborg

The Barnum System #5

by Ron Goulart

Book by Goulart, Ron

Genres: Science Fiction, Humor

156 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1978

About the author

Pseudonyms: Howard Lee; Frank S Shawn; Kenneth Robeson; Con Steffanson; Josephine Kains; Joseph Silva; William Shatner.
Ron Goulart is a cultural historian and novelist. Besides writing extensively about pulp fiction—including the seminal Cheap Thrills: An Informal History of Pulp Magazines (1972)—Goulart has written for the pulps since 1952, when the Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction published his first story, a sci-fi parody of letters to the editor. Since then he has written dozens of novels and countless short stories, spanning genres and using a variety of pennames, including Kenneth Robeson, Joseph Silva, and Con Steffanson. In the 1990s, he became the ghostwriter for William Shatner’s popular TekWar novels. Goulart’s After Things Fell Apart (1970) is the only science-fiction novel to ever win an Edgar Award.

In the 1970s Goulart wrote novels starring series characters like Flash Gordon and the Phantom, and in 1980 he published Hail Hibbler, a comic sci-fi novel that began the Odd Jobs, Inc. series. Goulart has also written several comic mystery series, including six books starring Groucho Marx. Having written for comic books, Goulart produced several histories of the art form, including the Comic Book Encyclopedia (2004).

Reviews

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wicked Cyborg in set in The Barnum System, as many of Goulart's novels are, but I don't believe it shares any of the major characters from other works. It's just as absurd and satiric, though, and I found it to be one of his sillier novels. Goulart once again tackles the theme of out-of-control technology via crazy robots (or angry androids or wicked cyborgs, if you will), this time with a decidedly Gothic Frankenstein-ian flavor. It's typical Goulart, but not among my favorites.

[Neil Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

While there is nothing stunningly different in this outing into cyborg science fiction by Ron Goulart, it is another solid and amusing entry in his collection. The plot is almost secondary to the characters and the humour, but it moves along at a good pace nevertheless. If you're a fan of science fiction and humour, then this is recommended reading. Few writers, in my opinion, did sci fi humour as well as Mr Goulart. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ron is the master of SF parody. Read it for a laugh.

[Charl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy Goulart's humor, and this was well-laced with it.

[Sergio · Rating 1 out of 5]

"Una boiata" avrebbe detto mio babbo... ci vuole coraggio a pubblicare simile spazzatura e stomaco di ferro a digerire tali letture!

[Jared Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read. It moves along at a brisk pace and has many strange characters and themes. This was my first Ron Goulart story so I am wondering if all his stories are this weird.

[Tentatively, Convenience · Rating 3 out of 5]

See my review of "Wildsmith".