Minions of the Moon
Encyclopedia
Minions of the Moon is a science fiction novel by author William Gray Beyer
, originally serialized in the magazine Argosy
in 1939. It was published in book form in 1950
by Gnome Press
in an edition of 5,000.
about a contemporary man who awakens in the far future.
and McComas
gave Minions a mixed review, describing it as "a conventional enough sleeper-wakes-into-retrograde-world story, but told with a fine blend of high romantic adventure and lively absurdity.". Damon Knight
found the novel an "old-style romance, somewhat the worse for wear". P. Schuyler Miller
declared that the author's treatment of "Omega, [the] puckish, hammish disembodied superintelligence, last survivor of the lunar race of whatsits," sets the novel apart from the routine.
William Gray Beyer
William Gray Beyer was an American writer of science fiction and mystery.- Biography :William Gray Beyer worked his way through the Drexel Institute by selling radio receivers. He worked at many jobs including taxi driving, sales, railroading and police work. He was active as a writer from 1939...
, originally serialized in the magazine Argosy
Argosy (magazine)
Argosy was an American pulp magazine, published by Frank Munsey. It is generally considered to be the first American pulp magazine. The magazine began as a general information periodical entitled The Golden Argosy, targeted at the boys adventure market.-Launch of Argosy:In late September 1882,...
in 1939. It was published in book form in 1950
1950 in literature
The year 1950 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*Kazuo Shimada wins the "Mystery Writer Of Japan" award for his book Shakai-bu Kisha .*Jack Kerouac has his first novel published....
by Gnome Press
Gnome Press
Gnome Press was an American small-press publishing company primarily known for publishing many science fiction classics.The company was founded in 1948 by Martin Greenberg and David A. Kyle. Many of Gnome's titles were reprinted in England by Boardman Books...
in an edition of 5,000.
Plot introduction
The novel is a space operaSpace opera
Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced technologies and abilities. The term has no relation to music and it is analogous to "soap...
about a contemporary man who awakens in the far future.
Reception
BoucherAnthony Boucher
Anthony Boucher was an American science fiction editor and author of mystery novels and short stories. He was particularly influential as an editor. Between 1942 and 1947 he acted as reviewer of mostly mystery fiction for the San Francisco Chronicle...
and McComas
J. Francis McComas
Jesse Francis McComas was an American science fiction editor. McComas wrote several stories on his own in the 1950s using both his own name and the pseudonym Webb Marlowe....
gave Minions a mixed review, describing it as "a conventional enough sleeper-wakes-into-retrograde-world story, but told with a fine blend of high romantic adventure and lively absurdity.". Damon Knight
Damon Knight
Damon Francis Knight was an American science fiction author, editor, critic and fan. His forte was short stories and he is widely acknowledged as having been a master of the genre.-Biography:...
found the novel an "old-style romance, somewhat the worse for wear". P. Schuyler Miller
P. Schuyler Miller
Peter Schuyler Miller was an American science fiction writer and critic.-Life:Miller was raised in New York's Mohawk Valley, which led to a life-long interest in the Iroquois Indians. He pursued this as an amateur archaeologist and a member of the New York State Archaeological Association.He...
declared that the author's treatment of "Omega, [the] puckish, hammish disembodied superintelligence, last survivor of the lunar race of whatsits," sets the novel apart from the routine.