One of hte most popular science fiction writers of the Pre-Campbell era was born today, April 4. I’m talking about Stanley G. Weinbaum (1902-1935).
Weinbaum’s career was short, not even two years before he died of cancer.
But in those two years he left an indelible mark on science fiction. During a time when aliens tended to fall intot he Bug eyed Monster trope more often than not, and when it was common for characters to consist of a scientist (mad or otherwise) , his beautiful daughter, and the square jawed hero who exists to protect and serve as what passed for a love interest to the beautiful daughter, Weinbaum broke the mold.
His first published story was “A Martian Odyssey” (Wonder Stories, July 1934) became an instant classic that is still in print today. It concerns explorers on Mars that meet a Martian named Tweel. Tweel was unlike any alien seen before. He wasn’t intent on conquering Earth, nor did he want our women to help satisfy unnatural desires. He was alien, but he was friendly ans served as a tour guide to het exploreres.
That story is the cover story for The Best of Stanley G. Weinbaum. It was the first volume in Ballantine’s Best of series. That’s the second edition. the first had different lettering on the title. This book was piuboished in 1974, four decades after Weinbaum’s first story was published. That’s pretty good for someone who only wrote for a fwe years, and those years were not noted for high quality writing in the scinece fiction pulps.
Let’s compare Weinbaum with another writer from the thirties. Raymond Z. Gallun (ppronounced “galloon”; it’s Dutch). Frankly, I’m not sure whjy Gallun had a volume in the Ballantine Best of series. Gallun’s career lasted from his first published story in 1929 until the eighties, when his last novel was published (1985). Most of the other authors in the Best of series were either published by Ballantine or the rights to the stories were available. All of hte other writer in the series were major names.
Most of the stoires in The Best of Raymond Z. Gallun aren’t very good. At least that’s what my memory tells me. I read the book over a quarter century ago. The best story, and the one Gallun is remembered for when he is remembered is “Old Faithful.”
It was also published in 1934, the same year as “A Martian Odyssey”. But it was published in Astounding in December. It concerns a Martian who manages to make contact with Eaerth. He is not hostile. But that’s where the similarities end. There’s the scieinctist, the beautiful daughter, and the square-jawed hero.
“Old Faithful” broke with the trend of hostile aliens. But it’s no “A Martian Odyssey.” Comoparing the two demonstrates that Weinbaum’s work was head and shoulders above even the better stories of his competitors.