Tuesday, 11 August 2026

Clifford Simak's Jupiter

Four men, two by two, had gone into the howling maelstrom that was Jupiter and had not returned. They had walked into the keening gale—or rather, they had loped, bellies low against the ground, wet sides gleaming in the rain. 
For they did not go in the shape of men. 
Now the fifth man stood before the desk of Kent Fowler, head of Dome No. 3. Jovian Survey Commission. 
Under Fowler’s desk, old Towser scratched a flea, then settled down to sleep again.

Although we await a copy of Clifford Simak's City ordered via eBay, we find the text online. You may read its opening paragraphs above.

Poul Anderson: "...wind...whooping...driving...ammonia dust..."

James Blish: "A screeching tornado..." (for both, see here)

Simak contributes: "...the howling maelstrom...," "...keening gale...," a ground and rain (above)

We notice:

similar descriptions in different words;

Simak's characters are not on Jupiter V but in a dome on the Jovian surface;

Simak's characters, like Anderson's Anglesey, venture onto the planetary surface "...not...in the shape of men";

Simak's characters include a dog - who will be important.

Is that enough for this evening? I need to do something different. 

Music is audible from somewhere out our back. Good night.

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