I am having multiple problems with this story. First, the Publication History on p. 6 states that it was published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, May 1970, but it is not listed here in the contents of this issue.
Secondly, I am finding the narrative too surreal. The viewpoint character endures a sequence of simulated (?) scenarios but how can he be sure that he is back in the real world at the end?
The text is divided into:
Prologue (pp. 324-326)
Fate the Second (pp. 326-334)
Fate the Third (pp. 334-339)
Fate the Fourth (pp. 340-350)
Fate the Fifth (pp. 350-357)
O Ye of Little Fate (pp. 357-358)
Brief Observations (So Far)
(i) The reference to a "...a 1989 Chevrrolet..." (p. 329) places Fate the Second nineteen years in the future.
(ii) Fate the Fifth ends with "Creation began." (p. 357) - like James Blish's Cities In Flight.
(iii) "O Ye of Little Fate" is yet another disguised Biblical reference.(Matthew 8: 26) Should I stop mentioning these?
(iv) Maybe the few previously uncollected NESFA collection stories aren't as good?
2 comments:
Kaor, Paul!
I am sorry you seem to be having trouble with "The Fatal Fulfillment." I read that story more than once with interest and pleasure, once I grasped Anderson was showing us scientists trying to find ways and means of coping with some kind of mental plague.
I might classify "Fatal" as another of those stories where Anderson moved out of his "comfort zone" to attempt writing truly difficult pieces. Such as "The Door to Anywhere" or "Night Piece." And I wrote a long article about the second story!
Ad astra! Sean
Kaor, Paul!
That problem you mentioned about having difficulties with the correct original publication date for "The Fatal Fulfillment" had me checking one of the bibliographies I have of Anderson's works. According to the one I looked up, "The Fatal Fulfillment" was originally pub. in the MARCH 1970 issue of THE MAGAZINE OF FANTASY AND SCIENCE FICTION, not May.
So you most likely found a misprint or error in that publication credits page.
Ad astra! Sean
Post a Comment