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Fantascience Digest, v. 2, issue 2, January-February 1939

Page 7

FANTASCIENCE DIGEST     Page 7

KELLER THE GREAT
by SAM MOSKOWITZ

Keller -- to all science fiction readers of at least two years vintage that is a name to conjure with. A symbol of something different and human in the line of Scientifiction. In questions asked in the WONDER STORIES Science Fiction League test he was judged the most popular author of this type of fiction. Peculiarly enough, the choice for the best type of scientifiction story ever written was not one of his. Then why did he win the award? The answer is simple. First, he has had more science fiction stories printed in magazines of this nature than any other author; well over fifty. (List on request) The huge majority of his stories were very good and chockfull of human interest. His subjects; very rarely rocket ships, atomic motors, space rays and the like. Actually they are mostly about family life and conditions, babies, and human psychological reaction to various stimuli. For over eight years he has reigned, a symbol of quality to all s-f fans.

Even the followers of weird literature are not immune to the touching style of his stories. As for his style; his is not the magnetic forceful type that holds your attention to the printed page, but rather a style that denotes his own simple self. SImple words that speak volumes and accomplish more than ages of vivid ramblings.

Perhaps many of you more recent fans are a bit dubious and possibly wonder at his non-appearance of late. Please let me reassure you that Dr. Keller has included more original thoughts in one story than may other authors in thirty melodramatic thrillers.

From his first story of any length he struck a chord that resoumded in all lovers of [[underline]]good[[end underline]] science fiction. Who that has read "Revolt of the Pedestrians," "No more Tomorrows," "The Human Termites," "Life Everlasting," "The Evening Star," and virtually scores of others too numerous to mention can help but remember the clearly-defined message they forwarded. Whereas the overwhelming majority of today's science fiction is quickly read and even more quickly forgotten.

Not only to the lovers of science fiction does Dr, Keller appeal, but also to the worshippers of really good weird literature. True, his stories of that character are not nearly so numerous as the former mentioned. However, those he has written are especially outstanding. Among these are "Creation Unforgiveable" (which was given mention in the 1930 O. Henry short story award. Doubtless if you take the trouble to look you will find others so honored), "The Solitary Hunters," (A three-part serial, each part of which was judged the best item in the respective issues), "The Thing in the Cellar," (Recently reprinted in French in book form), "The Last Magician," "The Jelly Fish," "The LIttle Husbands," and others, each and everyone being a msterpiece of weird literature

The reason for this outburst is simple; Keller, more Keller, and further Keller. He has been sadly neglected off late. We older readers want an end to the preposterous themes of today, an end to the unutterable trash that passes today and an inauguration of the human, and most interesting, phase of this fiction.

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FANTASCIENCE DIGEST Page 7 KELLER THE GREAT by SAM MOSKOWITZ Keller -- to all science fiction readers of at least two years vintage that is a name to conjure with. A symbol of something different and human in the line of Scientifiction. In questions asked in the WONDER STORIES Science Fiction League test he was judged the most popular author of this type of fiction. Peculiarly enough, the choice for the best type of scientifiction story ever written was not one of his. Then why did he win the award? The answer is simple. First, he has had more science fiction stories printed in magazines of this nature than any other author; well over fifty. (List on request) The huge majority of his stories were very good and chockfull of human interest. His subjects; very rarely rocket ships, atomic motors, space rays and the like. Actually they are mostly about family life and conditions, babies, and human psychological reaction to various stimuli. For over eight years he has reigned, a symbol of quality to all s-f fans. Even the followers of weird literature are not immune to the touching style of his stories. As for his style; his is not the magnetic forceful type that holds your attention to the printed page, but rather a style that denotes his own simple self. SImple words that speak volumes and accomplish more than ages of vivid ramblings. Perhaps many of you more recent fans are a bit dubious and possibly wonder at his non-appearance of late. Please let me reassure you that Dr. Keller has included more original thoughts in one story than may other authors in thirty melodramatic thrillers. From his first story of any length he struck a chord that resoumded in all lovers of [[underline]]good[[end underline]] science fiction. Who that has read "Revolt of the Pedestrians," "No more Tomorrows," "The Human Termites," "Life Everlasting," "The Evening Star," and virtually scores of others too numerous to mention can help but remember the clearly-defined message they forwarded. Whereas the overwhelming majority of today's science fiction is quickly read and even more quickly forgotten. Not only to the lovers of science fiction does Dr, Keller appeal, but also to the worshippers of really good weird literature. True, his stories of that character are not nearly so numerous as the former mentioned. However, those he has written are especially outstanding. Among these are "Creation Unforgiveable" (which was given mention in the 1930 O. Henry short story award. Doubtless if you take the trouble to look you will find others so honored), "The Solitary Hunters," (A three-part serial, each part of which was judged the best item in the respective issues), "The Thing in the Cellar," (Recently reprinted in French in book form), "The Last Magician," "The Jelly Fish," "The LIttle Husbands," and others, each and everyone being a msterpiece of weird literature The reason for this outburst is simple; Keller, more Keller, and further Keller. He has been sadly neglected off late. We older readers want an end to the preposterous themes of today, an end to the unutterable trash that passes today and an inauguration of the human, and most interesting, phase of this fiction.