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Fantasy Fan, v. 1, issue 5, January 1934
Page 68
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68 THE FANTASY FAN January, 1934 tled. "Numerous Eyrie letters knock stf in Weird: I only did the same, but from the other side of the fence." H. P. Lovecraft also retaliates: "Glad you are giving the vociferous Master Ackerman a hearing--it's always well to let both sides of a debate have an equal chance. But I fear that Effjay the Terrible and his allies don't make out a very strong case. The tirade to which exception was taken was not merely an assertion that Smith's 'Dweller in Martian Depths' is unsuited for a science fiction magazine. It was a wholly gratuitous and intemperate attack on the story itself, written with a slap-dash extravagance and obviously sadistic gusto which plainly showed either a complete lack of analytical understanding and imaginative sensitiveness, or (as it was probable) a mere boyish desire to show off and attract notice. However, Ackerman is young, as proved by his tendency to regard ordinary civilized language as alien and incomprehensible. Now that he's had a good barrage from the general public, it would be just as well to leave him in peace. Five years from now he'll go beyond any of us in laughing at his explosions of today." William H. Dellenback also has something to say: "I am not a Weird Man; indeed, I have read very few weird stories that I have considered really good. Therefore, this is not so much a defense of Smith (who, I believe, is absolutely wrong in trying to link weird fiction with science fiction), as a rebuttal to Ackerman. However, first let me say that I think you are making a mistake, Editor, in publishing, and readers, in writing, letters which make too personal remarks. Aside from the fact that they are not true, the Boiling Point is for arguing about principles and not for calling antagonists names. "But on with the dance--Forrest says that 'Dweller in Martian Depths' and 'The Light From beyond' should not have been published in Wonder Stories. He also calls 'The Time Stream' doubtful material for stf. publication. "Point I--In regard to Forrest's dislike of Smith's excessive vocabulary, I will say this is purely a matter of personal opinion. And I respect his opinion (which is more than do Messers. Lovecraft Barlow, and Nelson.)even though I don't agree with him. As a change from the average run of stf stories, I enjoy Smith's wonderful language; I believe I have read very few stories as beautifully told as 'The Light From Beyond'. And though I don't like his weird stories, nevertheless, his manner of telling seems to me admirably fitted to weird fiction. "Point 2--I agree heartily with Mr. Crawford; science fiction would indeed be dull, if it consisted of nothing but the ideas Mr. Barlow lists. Fantasy is an integral part of stf; and while the three above mentioned stories were, for a large part, fantasy, they also contained the elements of strict stf. "Point 3--Finally, if no other explaining will suffice, I can only offer this last fact: Such stories provide variety, and there many who will like them. So, if you don't, Forrest, just forget about it. Stf can not be composed of all interplanetaryarns, or all medical, or all of any other type." (continued on page 79)
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68 THE FANTASY FAN January, 1934 tled. "Numerous Eyrie letters knock stf in Weird: I only did the same, but from the other side of the fence." H. P. Lovecraft also retaliates: "Glad you are giving the vociferous Master Ackerman a hearing--it's always well to let both sides of a debate have an equal chance. But I fear that Effjay the Terrible and his allies don't make out a very strong case. The tirade to which exception was taken was not merely an assertion that Smith's 'Dweller in Martian Depths' is unsuited for a science fiction magazine. It was a wholly gratuitous and intemperate attack on the story itself, written with a slap-dash extravagance and obviously sadistic gusto which plainly showed either a complete lack of analytical understanding and imaginative sensitiveness, or (as it was probable) a mere boyish desire to show off and attract notice. However, Ackerman is young, as proved by his tendency to regard ordinary civilized language as alien and incomprehensible. Now that he's had a good barrage from the general public, it would be just as well to leave him in peace. Five years from now he'll go beyond any of us in laughing at his explosions of today." William H. Dellenback also has something to say: "I am not a Weird Man; indeed, I have read very few weird stories that I have considered really good. Therefore, this is not so much a defense of Smith (who, I believe, is absolutely wrong in trying to link weird fiction with science fiction), as a rebuttal to Ackerman. However, first let me say that I think you are making a mistake, Editor, in publishing, and readers, in writing, letters which make too personal remarks. Aside from the fact that they are not true, the Boiling Point is for arguing about principles and not for calling antagonists names. "But on with the dance--Forrest says that 'Dweller in Martian Depths' and 'The Light From beyond' should not have been published in Wonder Stories. He also calls 'The Time Stream' doubtful material for stf. publication. "Point I--In regard to Forrest's dislike of Smith's excessive vocabulary, I will say this is purely a matter of personal opinion. And I respect his opinion (which is more than do Messers. Lovecraft Barlow, and Nelson.)even though I don't agree with him. As a change from the average run of stf stories, I enjoy Smith's wonderful language; I believe I have read very few stories as beautifully told as 'The Light From Beyond'. And though I don't like his weird stories, nevertheless, his manner of telling seems to me admirably fitted to weird fiction. "Point 2--I agree heartily with Mr. Crawford; science fiction would indeed be dull, if it consisted of nothing but the ideas Mr. Barlow lists. Fantasy is an integral part of stf; and while the three above mentioned stories were, for a large part, fantasy, they also contained the elements of strict stf. "Point 3--Finally, if no other explaining will suffice, I can only offer this last fact: Such stories provide variety, and there many who will like them. So, if you don't, Forrest, just forget about it. Stf can not be composed of all interplanetaryarns, or all medical, or all of any other type." (continued on page 79)
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