Sinister Barrier
Encyclopedia
Sinister Barrier is an English language science fiction
novel by author Eric Frank Russell
. The novel originally appeared in the magazine Unknown
in 1939, the first novel to appear in its pages. It was first published in book form in 1943
by The World's Work, Ltd. Russell revised and expanded the book for its first US publication by Fantasy Press
in 1948. Most subsequent editions were based on the Fantasy Press version.
The Vitons are only visible when humans come into contact with a certain combination of chemicals. After several people use the combination of chemicals painted on the skin and die the person investigating the suspicious deaths is puzzled by the victims apparently insane actions.
praised the novel as "a fast-moving adventure in which punch follows punch from beginning to end." Miller reported that Russell had made more effective use of the ideas of Charles Fort
than almost any other author.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel by author Eric Frank Russell
Eric Frank Russell
Eric Frank Russell was a British author best known for his science fiction novels and short stories. Much of his work was first published in the United States, in John W. Campbell's Astounding Science Fiction and other pulp magazines. Russell also wrote horror fiction for Weird Tales, and...
. The novel originally appeared in the magazine Unknown
Unknown (magazine)
Unknown was an American pulp fantasy fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1943 by Street & Smith, and edited by John W. Campbell. Unknown was a companion to Street & Smith's science fiction pulp, Astounding Science Fiction, which was also edited by Campbell at the time; many authors and...
in 1939, the first novel to appear in its pages. It was first published in book form in 1943
1943 in literature
The year 1943 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*George Orwell resigns from the BBC to become literary editor of Tribune.*Isaac Bashevis Singer becomes a naturalized citizen of the United States....
by The World's Work, Ltd. Russell revised and expanded the book for its first US publication by Fantasy Press
Fantasy Press
Fantasy Press was an American publishing house specialising in fantasy and science fiction titles. Established in 1946 by Lloyd Arthur Eshbach in Reading, Pennsylvania, it was most notable for publishing the works of authors such as Robert A. Heinlein and E. E. Smith...
in 1948. Most subsequent editions were based on the Fantasy Press version.
Plot introduction
The novel concerns a future where the human race is owned and operated by the invisible Vitons, parasites that feed on human pain and anguish.The Vitons are only visible when humans come into contact with a certain combination of chemicals. After several people use the combination of chemicals painted on the skin and die the person investigating the suspicious deaths is puzzled by the victims apparently insane actions.
Reception
Astounding reviewer P. Schuyler MillerP. 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...
praised the novel as "a fast-moving adventure in which punch follows punch from beginning to end." Miller reported that Russell had made more effective use of the ideas of Charles Fort
Charles Fort
Charles Hoy Fort was an American writer and researcher into anomalous phenomena. Today, the terms Fortean and Forteana are used to characterize various such phenomena. Fort's books sold well and are still in print today.-Biography:Charles Hoy Fort was born in 1874 in Albany, New York, of Dutch...
than almost any other author.
Publication history
- 1939, USA, UnknownUnknown (magazine)Unknown was an American pulp fantasy fiction magazine, published from 1939 to 1943 by Street & Smith, and edited by John W. Campbell. Unknown was a companion to Street & Smith's science fiction pulp, Astounding Science Fiction, which was also edited by Campbell at the time; many authors and...
, Pub date March 1939 - 1943. UK, The World's Work, Pub date 1943, Hardback
- 1948, USA, Fantasy PressFantasy PressFantasy Press was an American publishing house specialising in fantasy and science fiction titles. Established in 1946 by Lloyd Arthur Eshbach in Reading, Pennsylvania, it was most notable for publishing the works of authors such as Robert A. Heinlein and E. E. Smith...
, Pub date 1948, Hardback, revised and expanded, 3,084 copies - 1950, USA, Galaxy SF NovelGalaxy novelsGalaxy novels, sometimes titled Galaxy Science Fiction Novels, were a series of mostly reprint American science fiction novels published between 1950 and 1961....
, Pub date 1950, Paperback, abridged - 1952, UK, Kemsley, Pub date 1950, paperback
- 1952, France, Le Rayon Fantastique, Pub date 1952, Hardback, as Guerre aux invisibles
- 1953, Italy, Romanzi di Urania, Pub date 1953, Hardback, as Schiavi degli invisibili
- 1953, Germany, Utopia-KriminalUtopia (German science fiction)Utopia was the name of several science fiction series published by Erich Pabel Verlag, Rastatt.Together with the Terra series of the rival publisher Arthur Moewig Verlag, Munich,...
, Pub date 1953, Hardback, as Die Todeschranke - 1964, USA, Paperback Library, Pub date 1964, Paperback
- 1967, UK, Dobson, Pub date 1967, Hardback
- 1986, USA, Del Rey BooksDel Rey BooksDel Rey Books is a branch of Ballantine Books, which is owned by Random House and, in turn since 1998, by Bertelsmann AG. It is a separate imprint established in 1977 under the editorship of author Lester del Rey and his wife Judy-Lynn del Rey. It specializes in science fiction and fantasy...
ISBN 0-345-32760-8, Pub date January 1986, Paperback - 1986, UK, Methuen Publishing ISBN 0-413-58870-X, Pub date February 1986, Paperback