I’m currently re-reading the Lensman series (and enjoying it immensely, I might add).
However, I just noticed–for the first time since I bought the book ten years ago–that my copy of Triplanetary has a few pages missing from the vary end. Problem is, I’m not sure how much.
In my copy, it ends with Clio nuzzling against Conway and commenting that we’ll never really like the Nevians–they’re just too fishy (or something to that effect). Are there any paragraphs beyond this part? I’d hate to have to find a new copy, since Doc Smith novels aren’t exactly mainstream books you can pick up anywhere.
I think you’re OK - that’s the way I remember it ending (I can check, but my copy’s at home [and I’m not] at the moment).
An outfit called Ripping Publishing recently reissued the Lensman books in paperback in the UK, so replacements might not be as hard to find as you might think.
I think I saw one of those once. They did a really great job. The art was all retro 50’s, down to the chapter headers (if I’m thinking of the same edition). Plus, I really dig trade paperbacks.
Hm. It can’t be more than a paragraph or two missing. The ending wraps up pretty well.
Anybody here read Heinlein’s Expanded Universe? The reason I’m asking is because in that book Heinlein mentions that “Doc” Smith had detailed to him plans for another Lensman book, but died before it could be written. Anybody know what that one might have been about? Or is it lost forever in the mists of time?
Never heard that before! Would have been interesting to see where it would have gone. Given Heinlein’s interest in incest, and Smith’s dropping hints about the Children of the Lens’ only fit mates would be their own brother, it certainly would have had possibilities.
BTW, my copy of Triplanetary ends just as was described in the OP too
I’ve heard this story about a lost sequel. The version I heard (might have come from the FAQ for rec.arts.sf.written, but I’m not sure) was that Heinlein and Smith agreed it was brilliant, but unpublishable. Further than that, I know nothing.
Of course, you would have thought, if it was actually written, it would have turned up by now. Smith’s notes were pretty comprehensively pillaged after his death, and things like the “Family D’Alembert” series (by E.E. “Doc” Smith[sub]with Stephen Goldin[/sub]) saw print… so, you’d think, if there was an actual manuscript of a last Lensman book, some publisher would have jumped at it - “unpublishable” or not.
I’m pretty curious about what it would be, too. The main storyline seems pretty well wrapped-up at the end of Children. There really aren’t any butts left to kick.
God, those redheads are pretty thorough aren’t they?
Sure, Conway’s firing on all tubes, all the way, but he doesn’t hold a torch to Worsel.
Anyway, thanks for the reassurances, guys. Civilization thanks you.
Regardless of whether there were any loose ends left, there certainly was another Lensman novel after Smith’s death. Someone (stephen Goldin?) wrote The Dragon Lensman. I never read it, so I don’t know if it’s any good, or had anything to do with Smith’s notes.
I own that one. shudder Avoid. Avoid, avoid, avoid.
Since I am (for once) at home right now, I attempted to find my copy to give a representative quote but can’t seem to find it right now. Must have used it to light a grill or something some time in the past…
Trust me. When they say “by E E “Doc” Smith and David Kyle” they actually mean “by David Kyle and E E “Doc” Smith’s books, which David Kyle seems to have skimmed over briefly once, a long time ago, while imbibing heavily.”