Brink of Madness

by Walter J. Sheldon

This book has been considered important throughout the human history, and so that this work is never forgotten we have made efforts in its preservation by republishing this book in a modern format for present and future generations. This whole book has been reformatted, retyped and designed. These books are not made of scanned copies and hence the text is clear and readable.

49 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 30, 2011

Reviews

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

✔️ Published in IF Worlds of Science Fiction, 1953 July.

Quite an interesting short story from the Golden Age of Science Fiction. The story itself is good, but there are a few passages that piqued my curiosity. Let us explore.

“Look, I'll tell you what, I'll meet you somewhere in an hour. We'll have some fun—take in a floor show—drink a little meth.”

It is the “drink a little meth” passage. Upon doing some research, I found that methamphetamine was discovered in 1893, and it is – among other uses – considered an aphrodisiac.

A rocketman in the black and silver uniform of the Space Force was trying to stumble drunkenly out on to the floor.

The reference to “Space Force” reminds me of the latest branch of our military, created on December 20, 2019 (parent organization is the United States Air Force).

The writing style in this short story from the Golden Age of Science Fiction is smooth and nicely descriptive:

Just how [Richard] Pell [a C.I.B. agent] —knobby, more or less homely, and easygoing—had won himself a lovely, long-limbed blonde like Ciel was something of a mystery to many of their friends.

"Be home shortly, baby," he'd said, "soon as I fill in a form or two." "All right, dear. I'll wait," she'd answered, with just the slightest tone of doubt.

I enjoyed this.

🟣Kindle version.
🟤Project Gutenberg.