 First edition | |
| Author | A. Bertram Chandler |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Ed Emshwiller |
| Language | English |
| Series | Rim Worlds |
| Genre | science fiction |
| Publisher | Avalon Books, New York |
Publication date | 1961 |
| Publication place | Australia |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 220 pp |
| Preceded by | – |
| Followed by | Bring Back Yesterday |
The Rim of Space (1961) is the debut science fiction novel by Anglo-Australian author A. Bertram Chandler. The novel forms a part of the author's "Rim Worlds" series of stories. [1] [2]
The novel follows the adventures of Derek Calver, one of Chandler's early major characters. The novel sees Calver joining up with the Rim Runners in order to undertake an exploration of desolate planets. He joins the crew of Lorn Lady and accompanies it to various planets on the Galactic Rim.
Floyd C. Gale of Galaxy Science Fiction in 1961 rated The Rim of Space 3.5 stars out of five, stating that "All the elements of the salty sea are in Chandler's deep space thriller ... Art it may not be, but likable it certainly is". [3] Mark Yon of SFFWorld noted in 2016 the dated sexism of the book but found: "This was a book that rose above its rather low expectations. Expecting fast-paced, low quality pulp fiction, I was surprised how contemplative and well thought out the book was. It’s a great read, which, although typically 1950’s pulp and thus unlikely to blaze a trail through SF fiction, is entertaining enough to hold interest and make me want me to read more. Surprisingly reminiscent of early Poul Anderson for its literacy and often melancholic mood, this is an old gem that’s worth a read." [4]
An early version of this novel was published in the January 1959 of Astounding Science Fiction as a novella under the title "To Run the Rim". [5] [6]
Dedication: "To Susan, who belongs on the Rim". [2]
Arthur Bertram Chandler was an Anglo-Australian merchant marine officer, sailing the world in everything from tramp steamers to troop ships, but who later turned his hand to a second career as a prolific author of pulp science fiction. He also wrote under the pseudonyms of George Whitley, Andrew Dunstan and S.H.M. Many of his short stories draw on his extensive sailing background. In 1956, he emigrated to Australia and became an Australian citizen. By 1958 he was an officer on the Sydney-Hobart route. Chandler commanded various ships in the Australian and New Zealand merchant navies, including his service as the last master of the Australian aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne; by law, the ship was required to have an officer on board while awaiting its towing to China to be broken up. Chandler wrote over 40 novels and 200 works of short fiction, winning the Australian Ditmar Awards for the short story "The Bitter Pill" and for three novels: False Fatherland, The Bitter Pill, and The Big Black Mark. One of Chandler's daughters, Jenny Chandler, married British horror fiction writer Ramsey Campbell. His other children were Penelope Anne Chandler and Christopher John Chandler.
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