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Dumarest of Terra #18
Incident on Ath
An art collector seemed an unlikely prospect for information on the galactic coordinates of the forgotten planet Earth. But Earl Dumarest never overlooked any clue--& when he defended an art devotee named Sardia, he was unexpectedly rewarded by the sight of the painting she sought. For in its sky was the unmistakable features of cratered Luna, Earth's equally fabled satellite. Sardia said the painter of the picture lived on a planet called Ath--& that was significant. So to Ath they went, she to find the painter, Dumarest to find the source of the accurate lunar presentation. But Ath was not yet Earth. Between the painter & the seekers stood the ominous forces of the Cyclan & the enigmatic insurrectionists called the Ohrm.
188 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1978
5 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
E.C. Tubb
383 books85 followersEdwin Charles Tubb was a writer of science fiction, fantasy and western novels. He published over 140 novels and 230 short stories and novellas, and is best known for The Dumarest Saga (US collective title: Dumarest of Terra) an epic science-fiction saga set in the far future.
Much of Tubb's work has been written under pseudonyms including Gregory Kern, Carl Maddox, Alan Guthrie, Eric Storm and George Holt. He has used 58 pen names over five decades of writing although some of these were publishers' house names also used by other writers: Volsted Gridban (along with John Russell Fearn), Gill Hunt (with John Brunner and Dennis Hughes), King Lang (with George Hay and John W Jennison), Roy Sheldon (with H. J. Campbell) and Brian Shaw. Tubb's Charles Grey alias was solely his own and acquired a big following in the early 1950s.
An avid reader of pulp science-fiction and fantasy in his youth, Tubb found that he had a particular talent as a writer of stories in that genre when his short story 'No Short Cuts' was published in New Worlds magazine in 1951. He opted for a full-time career as a writer and soon became renowned for the speed and diversity of his output.
Tubb contributed to many of the science fiction magazines of the 1950s including Futuristic Science Stories, Science Fantasy, Nebula and Galaxy Science Fiction. He contributed heavily to Authentic Science Fiction editing the magazine for nearly two years, from February 1956 until it folded in October 1957. During this time, he found it so difficult to find good writers to contribute to the magazine, that he often wrote most of the stories himself under a variety of pseudonyms: one issue of Authentic was written entirely by Tubb, including the letters column.
His main work in the science fiction genre, the Dumarest series, appeared from 1967 to 1985, with two final volumes in 1997 and 2008. His second major series, the Cap Kennedy series, was written from 1973 to 1983.
In recent years Tubb updated many of his 1950s science fiction novels for 21st century readers.
Tubb was one of the co-founders of the British Science Fiction Association.
Much of Tubb's work has been written under pseudonyms including Gregory Kern, Carl Maddox, Alan Guthrie, Eric Storm and George Holt. He has used 58 pen names over five decades of writing although some of these were publishers' house names also used by other writers: Volsted Gridban (along with John Russell Fearn), Gill Hunt (with John Brunner and Dennis Hughes), King Lang (with George Hay and John W Jennison), Roy Sheldon (with H. J. Campbell) and Brian Shaw. Tubb's Charles Grey alias was solely his own and acquired a big following in the early 1950s.
An avid reader of pulp science-fiction and fantasy in his youth, Tubb found that he had a particular talent as a writer of stories in that genre when his short story 'No Short Cuts' was published in New Worlds magazine in 1951. He opted for a full-time career as a writer and soon became renowned for the speed and diversity of his output.
Tubb contributed to many of the science fiction magazines of the 1950s including Futuristic Science Stories, Science Fantasy, Nebula and Galaxy Science Fiction. He contributed heavily to Authentic Science Fiction editing the magazine for nearly two years, from February 1956 until it folded in October 1957. During this time, he found it so difficult to find good writers to contribute to the magazine, that he often wrote most of the stories himself under a variety of pseudonyms: one issue of Authentic was written entirely by Tubb, including the letters column.
His main work in the science fiction genre, the Dumarest series, appeared from 1967 to 1985, with two final volumes in 1997 and 2008. His second major series, the Cap Kennedy series, was written from 1973 to 1983.
In recent years Tubb updated many of his 1950s science fiction novels for 21st century readers.
Tubb was one of the co-founders of the British Science Fiction Association.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 25, 2024
What is Art? Is it the "expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power"? Is talent at creating art innate or can it be learned after years of careful study? What is an Artist? What becomes of an artist who is, as they say, past their prime? When the art they produce is no longer of interest, when they are no longer able to produce that art with the ease and skill that they once were able to command. What is an artist then?
What is Knowledge? Is it "facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject"? Can knowledge that comes automatically, without learning, truly be considered knowledge? Say, from a book or the internet or, as on the planet of Ath and perhaps on the planet of Earth, from an AI that communicates all you need to know instantaneously, sparing you the time of actually learning. What will happen to a people if that ability to have knowledge at their fingertips, upon command, is stripped away? Will they be little more than children, unable to fend for themselves?
Some interesting questions posed by this absorbing entry in Tubb's fast-paced and very long-running saga. A strong, fully three-dimensional female lead; a fascinating, flawed-utopia setting. Plus an ugly little spider-crab creature that is a gruff spaceship captain's best friend. The captain eventually describing the impact of losing that companion made for one of the most heartbreaking sequences I've read in this frequently melancholy series. :(
3.5 stars
What is Knowledge? Is it "facts, information, and skills acquired through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject"? Can knowledge that comes automatically, without learning, truly be considered knowledge? Say, from a book or the internet or, as on the planet of Ath and perhaps on the planet of Earth, from an AI that communicates all you need to know instantaneously, sparing you the time of actually learning. What will happen to a people if that ability to have knowledge at their fingertips, upon command, is stripped away? Will they be little more than children, unable to fend for themselves?
Some interesting questions posed by this absorbing entry in Tubb's fast-paced and very long-running saga. A strong, fully three-dimensional female lead; a fascinating, flawed-utopia setting. Plus an ugly little spider-crab creature that is a gruff spaceship captain's best friend. The captain eventually describing the impact of losing that companion made for one of the most heartbreaking sequences I've read in this frequently melancholy series. :(
3.5 stars
April 20, 2024
3.5 stars. This story is more subtle, melancholy and perhaps subdued than most previous tales. A washed up ballerina turned art dealer seeking an artist who may have depicted Earth's moon in a painting discovered by chance. A seemingly sleepy, utopian world, with signs perhaps of a rebellion brewing beneath the surface. A woman with a curiously detailed knowledge of Earth. The first person in fact with any concrete knowledge of Earth that Dumarest has encountered. Yet Earl thrusts himself into the midst of intrigue and danger for reasons that were never altogether clear, and opportunities to gain crucial knowledge are squandered. Much of the plot development takes place "off stage" as it were, even Dumarest's own thoughts and suspicions don't fully come to light until the denouement. If I were Tubb I would have thought long and hard about naming this "Pain in the Ath".
March 12, 2022
Perhaps the most infuriating of the Dumarest books so far - Earl comes across somebody who seems to know about Earth and yet DOESN'T ASK HER TO ELABORATE!!! And then it's too late.
Not a great deal happens in a plot that feels a little disjointed and, unlike other volumes, Dumarest leaves people in a worse state than when he found them, albeit through no real fault of his own.
Not a great deal happens in a plot that feels a little disjointed and, unlike other volumes, Dumarest leaves people in a worse state than when he found them, albeit through no real fault of his own.
December 26, 2020
A man hanging, naked, lost in a universe of pain. One alone and beyond even the concept of hope. A human creature in the last stages of terminal agony. A victim. A sacrifice.
This is an example of the prose of E.C. Tubb. You do not have to like it. I love it.
Dumarest in his seemingly unending quest for Earth comes to the planet Ath. In his company an art dealer and former prima ballerina called Sardia. They are looking for an artist. She because she wants to make money, he because on one of his paintings he thinks he recognizes the moon of his home planet.
Another woman, called Ursula, is his host. And she does know something about Earth. So, obviously, he has to fake some romantic interest. Sardia is not amused. And indeed, in addition to the usual arena fight that happened right at the beginning, because they had to finance their trip to Ath, we have a dance competition here. Sardia wins which nearly gets her killed. The people in Dumarest’s world do not like to lose.
Very good. We also have a revolution going on. Not surprisingly, Ath is a planet with a feudal society. And the Ohrm fight against their oppressors. There is also a bad guy who is the mastermind behind the revolution. He wants to become king or something. And really he wants to make some money with drugs. All this not very interesting to be honest.
In the end, the upper class is lost. And so is the information on the whereabouts of Earth. The entire time Dumarest should have just asked the question. A good thing he did not. We want more of his adventures.
This is an example of the prose of E.C. Tubb. You do not have to like it. I love it.
Dumarest in his seemingly unending quest for Earth comes to the planet Ath. In his company an art dealer and former prima ballerina called Sardia. They are looking for an artist. She because she wants to make money, he because on one of his paintings he thinks he recognizes the moon of his home planet.
Another woman, called Ursula, is his host. And she does know something about Earth. So, obviously, he has to fake some romantic interest. Sardia is not amused. And indeed, in addition to the usual arena fight that happened right at the beginning, because they had to finance their trip to Ath, we have a dance competition here. Sardia wins which nearly gets her killed. The people in Dumarest’s world do not like to lose.
Very good. We also have a revolution going on. Not surprisingly, Ath is a planet with a feudal society. And the Ohrm fight against their oppressors. There is also a bad guy who is the mastermind behind the revolution. He wants to become king or something. And really he wants to make some money with drugs. All this not very interesting to be honest.
In the end, the upper class is lost. And so is the information on the whereabouts of Earth. The entire time Dumarest should have just asked the question. A good thing he did not. We want more of his adventures.
February 17, 2025
I do not have that naff cover, I have a arrow edition.
So this is, as number eighteen, pretty well advanced in the series. It is one where we start of one world (and, with one woman) then continue to another; Ath. It is a pretty good premise and I am always amazed at how inventive Tubb was with this series.
Earl Dumarest is on this planet, he realises that the noose of the Cyclan is around him and getting tighter. As he is trying to get o the spaceport to escape the word and the Cyclan, he intervenes in a mugging occurring in an alleyway. When he escorts the woman back to her accommodation, he learns she is an art dealer seeking a specific artist, who she believes has amazing skills. She shows Dumarest one of his paintings and there, in the background is Earth's moon. After that Dumarest must accompany her to Ath where a rebellion is brewing and where Dumarest gets just a couple of snippets of information about Earth, just enough to last onto the next book (which I have already read).
There is one of his famous gladiator style battles to win money, a nefarious ship captain and plenty of opportunities to showcase his amazing powers. All thoroughly enjoyable.
So this is, as number eighteen, pretty well advanced in the series. It is one where we start of one world (and, with one woman) then continue to another; Ath. It is a pretty good premise and I am always amazed at how inventive Tubb was with this series.
Earl Dumarest is on this planet, he realises that the noose of the Cyclan is around him and getting tighter. As he is trying to get o the spaceport to escape the word and the Cyclan, he intervenes in a mugging occurring in an alleyway. When he escorts the woman back to her accommodation, he learns she is an art dealer seeking a specific artist, who she believes has amazing skills. She shows Dumarest one of his paintings and there, in the background is Earth's moon. After that Dumarest must accompany her to Ath where a rebellion is brewing and where Dumarest gets just a couple of snippets of information about Earth, just enough to last onto the next book (which I have already read).
There is one of his famous gladiator style battles to win money, a nefarious ship captain and plenty of opportunities to showcase his amazing powers. All thoroughly enjoyable.
July 16, 2020
Full review of the series in the last book #32
February 15, 2026
The publisher giving the author more room to work here -- 192 pages, vice the normal < 170.
But this is a frustrating book, all told. The "big surprise reveal" () was IMO painfully obvious right from the start. And should have been super obvious for our boy Earl, who has surely seen this sort of thing before, right?
All he had to do was ask *any* local about Earth (not just the Damsel-of-the-Week he was bedding down with) and *bam!*, case closed. From there it's a quick paraphrasing from the movie Total Recall: "Get your ass to Earth!"
But no..., and thus many Dumarest-style shenanigans ensue. Our boy Earl training/leading another pack of clueless locals into battle in the city sewers that was especially a bit wonky.
FWIW, I did like the two Damsels-of-the-Week here, both quasi-fighting over our valiant homeboy Earl. Both with their own goals and motivations, and not just only looking to be bed buddies with Mr. Dumarest. Neither so much in LoOoOOoOoOvvvvveE with him that they mindlessly throw themselves at his feet, which is a refreshing change for this series.
This book is not a complete dud¹, but does seem like a case of the author throwing some common-sense blinders on our intrepid hero for the sake of the creaky plotting (and frankly, a ham-fisted way to milk the series for another dozen+ novels).
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¹ Trivia: based on the reviews here on Goodreads, this is statistically the worst of the entire Dumarest series.
But this is a frustrating book, all told. The "big surprise reveal" () was IMO painfully obvious right from the start. And should have been super obvious for our boy Earl, who has surely seen this sort of thing before, right?
All he had to do was ask *any* local about Earth (not just the Damsel-of-the-Week he was bedding down with) and *bam!*, case closed. From there it's a quick paraphrasing from the movie Total Recall: "Get your ass to Earth!"
But no..., and thus many Dumarest-style shenanigans ensue. Our boy Earl training/leading another pack of clueless locals into battle in the city sewers that was especially a bit wonky.
FWIW, I did like the two Damsels-of-the-Week here, both quasi-fighting over our valiant homeboy Earl. Both with their own goals and motivations, and not just only looking to be bed buddies with Mr. Dumarest. Neither so much in LoOoOOoOoOvvvvveE with him that they mindlessly throw themselves at his feet, which is a refreshing change for this series.
This book is not a complete dud¹, but does seem like a case of the author throwing some common-sense blinders on our intrepid hero for the sake of the creaky plotting (and frankly, a ham-fisted way to milk the series for another dozen+ novels).
-------------
¹ Trivia: based on the reviews here on Goodreads, this is statistically the worst of the entire Dumarest series.
April 12, 2016
He never runs out of new and different ideas for his planet populations. I am feeling a bit like the days of Mulder and Scully where every time the spaceship flies overhead or the alien is standing right there..she is looking in the wrong direction and doesn't see. Then the next time she ridicules Mulder for his beliefs you want to smack the shit out of her for her cruelty because YOU know he is right and are frustrated at the sameness of the reasons for her blindness. It is the same sort of feeling with these books...he misses getting the information he desperately wants by inches and for such simple reasons that you feel impatient ...you too want the next clue even though you know there cannot be many and, in my case, know this is book 12 and he still has so many books to go where Dumarest is still looking and not finding. That is becoming the single problem of reading a series with a single goal (aside from ripping good story lines) all in one lump together so close in time. The books, if read together, were meant to be read as written a year apart to give the reader time to anticipate and look forward to the chance at another piece of the puzzle and not get frustrated at the lack of progress.
May 25, 2015
1977 grade C
Dumerest novel 18
Dumerest novel 18
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews