Mind Cage

by A.E. van Vogt

David Marin risks his reputation and government career when he makes a plea for Wade Trask, a brilliant scientist condemned to be executed for sedition. What Marin doesn't yet realize is that time is quickly running out----for both of them. Trask is experimenting with transplanting the mind and nervous system of one animal into the body of another. Hysterical with worry, he frantically works. When Marin tries to calm him, this almost mad scientist suddenly blasts his gas gun at him! Now, Marin's very identity is encased in Trask's body. Is Marin doomed to this twisted fate? Will they both become enemies of the government?

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction, Thriller

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1957

About the author

Alfred Elton van Vogt was a Canadian-born science fiction author regarded by some as one of the most popular and complex science fiction writers of the mid-twentieth century—the "Golden Age" of the genre.

van Vogt was born to Russian Mennonite family. Until he was four years old, van Vogt and his family spoke only a dialect of Low German in the home.

He began his writing career with 'true story' romances, but then moved to writing science fiction, a field he identified with. His first story was Black Destroyer, that appeared as the front cover story for the July 1939 edtion of the popular "Astounding Science Fiction" magazine.

Reviews

[Denis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This 1957 novel is based on a five-page short work titled, “The Great Judge” first published in 1948. It's a true novel rather than one of the many fix-ups van Vogt constructed from previously published short stories. It starts off very well, with a man being sentenced to death in court. From there, we enter the weird-weird world of van. Off we go in one of van's dreamt-up clunky plot entanglements, with various characters switching bodies and identities, while random others come in and out of the loopy narrative. It is difficult to keep straight who is who and what is what, as this is a typical van Vogt mess, and I think the writing here is even sloppier than usual in some places. Doesn’t matter, you want to read on anyway and see how he will manage to write his way out of this tangle by the book's end (...only a dozen or so pages to go and... how on earth is he gonna wrap this all up?) Well, somehow, as usual, he tacks on a couple damage control chapters and ends it. -"What the hell have I just read?" you ask yourself as you tuck the book back into the shelf.

Then, scenes come to you late in the night, and you think, wait a minute... Was he David (his son) and Marin at the same time by the end? Then you get out the book and start thumbing through it looking for when that was established or if at all. And that girl that was the mother of his son is really his sister? No way. I must have gotten this thing all wrong... And “The Brain” was that a man or machine? A machine. It was definitely a machine...

You can bet that if you re-read in a year or two, it will come off as something entirely different than you remember. That’s the way it is with this author. So so strange.

It is no wonder PKD loved this guy.

This review is dedicated to the memory of a very dear friend of mine. Isaac Wilcott was a van Vogt devotee and creator of the site https://spacerubbish.wordpress.com

[Rishindra Chinta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read two other van Vogt novels (The World of Null-A and The Book of Ptath), both of which feature very convoluted plots. While reading them, I realized it would take me forever to finish them if I kept rereading every time I didn't understand something, so I stopped doing that. And it was fine because at the end of both of them, van Vogt ties things up satisfactorily and I understood most of what I hadn't previously.

The Mind Cage is a book I found out about when I was browsing eBay a few years ago. The premise was intriguing: Shortly before a criminal is put to death for sedition, a friend of his, who happens to be a government official who is loyal to the monarch, is tricked into switching minds with him. I happened to find it for a low price at a used bookstore and bought it a while back.

I think I understood the overarching plot, but I found the internal twists and turns to be impenetrable. Reading The Mind Cage felt like being in a difficult class in which you can't even ask your teacher a question on something you don't understand because you don't understand what it is about that something that you don't understand. Every once in a while, van Vogt gives the reader a bit of information that's supposed to be a revelation, and you know it's supposed to be shocking, but you won't get why, or, at least, I didn't. Perhaps I'll have to give it another read sometime (I've also been meaning to reread The World of Null-A).

I'll give van Vogt the benefit of the doubt when it comes to whether or not the plot makes sense, but one thing I can say for sure doesn't work well is his attempts at saying something profound about human nature. He should've been content to just write a pulpy sci-fi novel.

What I found most interesting about the novel was that I could see evidence for van Vogt's influence on Frank Herbert in it. There are ideas that I think Frank Herbert expands upon in Dune, such as ancestral memories and the dangers of AI ("thinking machines"). And at one point, when a minor protagonist is told the details of the villains' plots, he responds, "Wheels within wheels within wheels." This exact phrase (and variants, like "feints within feints within feints" and "plans within plans within plans") are used in Dune.

I think there was enough good stuff for the book to get 3 stars from me. While I don't think it lived up to its blurb, I don't want to criticize van Vogt for having written the book he envisioned and not the one I wish it had been.

[Gulliver's Bad Trip · Rating 5 out of 5]

That's my first reading of an A.E. van Vogt book ever and what I figure out is a surreal blend of pulp sci-fi kitsch like such that would be worthy of a Star Trek episode, a Star Wars movie or an Ed Wood trash film with, that's what really matters, a defiantly kafkaesque, desorienting story worthy of any modern literature or even of its own influential aftermath in posterior science fiction such as in the New Wave (from Arthur C. Clarke to Philip K. Dick and who else more) in whose aftershock unaesthetic wreckage we are all living now amongst seemingly innopfensive domestic artificial intelligences, a discreet surveillance and appealingly familiar or compelingly advertisements. It may look like just a cold war themed story but its way more than that. The secretly tragic, 'oedipian' ending was great.

[Mark Muckerman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This may have been cutting-edge, visionary hard sci-fi back in 1957 (and that is still arguable), but overall it fails to enthrall or entertain. 60 years later, one can really only finish the last page feeling like they stepped in a dog turd whilst barefoot.

On the plus side, the premise (especially in the 1957 context) is interesting: forced mind swapping; a ticking clock of a pending death sentence; totalitarian governmental plots and conquest. . .

Sadly, it never really comes together as a functional story or enjoyable read. van Vogt's writing style is clumsy, with hard to follow plot lines, gaping holes in the story, and story transitions that seem to jump without connection. He also includes plot vehicles (the female spy?) that don't actually seem to drive the story, and also miss out on suitable or necessary development of character or backstory: in short - they don't seem essential to the plot.

Two stars is a gift, and at a used bookstore price of $0.60, I'm still on the edge of feeling cheated.
NOT a GoodRead. . .

[Adam Becker · Rating 2 out of 5]

A.E. van Vogt is a key contributor to the golden age of SF. Originally published in 1957, The Mind Cage has some wonderful creative elements, but I did not find it to be the easiest of reads. It got a bit clunky at times, and there were sub plots/sidetrack musings that seemed un-needed, even though it is a relatively short 220 pages in paperback. Not quite sure why it needed 43 chapters in that span. I think it was supposed to have an underlying anti-communist message but honestly I found that so muddled I am not really certain about that. Some interesting ideas in there. Overall entertainment value is rather ho-hum for me.

[DavidO]

I got about a third of the way through this book and just got bored. Ahe characters aren't engaging at all and there weren't any really novel ideas here. I just found it a bit boring.

[Donna Humble · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love good sci fi books, unfortunately this one was boring and predictable. I found myself dozing off several times and ha to force myself to finish reading it.

[Josh Massey-Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read! Nice story (as long as you just ignore the misogynistic and red scare undertones synonymous with 1950s literature)

[Matteo Pellegrini · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ecco un nuovo Van Vogt, estroso e ragionato come tutte le opere di questo affascinante autore, le cui teorie assurgono ad autentici voli pindarici, ben fondendosi i temi poetici e scientifici che reggono le fila di tutte le storie vanvogtiane. Qui, in questo Cervello trappola , accanto al complesso problema principale dell'uomo che si trova derubato della sua identità, e che rischia di venir condannato a morte per colpe che altri ha commesso, scorre fluida e impetuosa, come un fiume sconvolto dalla piena, la storia di un popolo, anzi, la storia di tutta la gente della Terra, dominata da un Dittatore la cui affascinante personalità gli vale l'ammirazione degli stessi avversari. E ancora, la patetica vicenda di una donna innamorata dà all'intero dramma un tono di umanità che trascende i confini del tempo e dello spazio. Quale sarà la sorte dell'uomo che vede avvicinarsi il giorno della morte, senza trovare il modo per convincere i suoi giudici di non essere lui il condannato, quale la sorte dei terrestri che intuiscono dietro la figura del Dittatore la presenza di una entità potente quanto misteriosa, quale il destino della donna che si vede separata dal suo uomo da una potenza superiore ad ogni volontà, vi verrà rivelato soltanto nelle ultime pagine di questo romanzo davvero ben congegnato.  Il cervello trappola  non vi lascerà un attimo di respiro, e vi terrà avvinti alla sua vicenda che di pagina in pagina rinnova l'interesse.

[Veronika Levine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a science fiction book from the 50s my dad had been on me to read for years. When I finally got down to it, I loved it. The story held up amazingly well today, think of it as "the machine or robots going live" concept. But it was extremely gripping from the second chapter on and I read it in three days. I was sad to learn this science fiction author had passed away, but I may seek out more of his writing.

[Kent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read any hard science fiction in a long time, but I'd read a couple of van Vogt's works many years ago, so gave this one a try. I wasn't disappointed; I was confused off and on throughout the story as to who was whom, but it was very interesting, and it kept me guessing through to the end (which I confess is not too hard. I usually don't like to guess the endings of stories, but enjoy the plot all the way through).

[Geldar · Rating 4 out of 5]

The heck? Apparently I've read this book twice. At least.

I read it in June of 2011 and just found it on my old reading list from 2006. I had absolutely no idea.

Anyways, back in '06, I wrote, "Ha! A punch-out ending!"

[SciFiOne · Rating 4 out of 5]

1980 grade B

[Jonathan Waugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting set-up and world building. The story twists and turns and wasn't predictable. The pace in the middle was a little slow, but the ending was tense.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clever book slow burner but was good

[Răzvan Ursuleanu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Romanul lui A. E. van Vogt reprezintă pentru mine o extensie a marșurilor la care luam parte în perioada efectuării stagiului militar. Un regiment întreg, aliniat și încolonat pe trei rânduri, pasul cadențat și kilometri interminabili în care ajungeai să picotești mărșăluind pentru că peisajul era mereu același, câmpuri agricole fără sfârșit.

Acțiunea din “Imperiul Marelui Judecător” se desfășoară tot în același ritm de marș forțat, doar că din fericire nu ai cum să ajungi să picotești citind, pentru că autorul schimbă atât de des cadrul și evenimentele, încât mai curând te apropii de zona tresăririlor cardiace decât de cea a somnolenței.

Capitolele sunt flash și aproape fiecare dintre ele conține o acțiune foarte bine structurată, personajul central executând doar o singură activitate importantă, după care își ia un răgaz de câteva clipe (de regulă cele două rânduri de final de capitol) pentru a medita ce va face în continuare. Toate celelalte personaje nu sunt decât niște accesorii de care se folosește după bunul său plac, rolul lor volatilizându-se în secunda în care nu mai prezintă interes.

Alfred Elton van Vogt ori îți place mult, ori nu-ți place deloc, iar aceste două extreme mi se par a fi de o corectitudine exemplară, atât pentru autor cât și pentru cititor. Dacă nu ai timp de van Vogt, atunci nici el nu are timp de tine, pentru că sunt atâtea lucruri de făcut în cărțile sale și nu este vreme de pierdut cu tot felul de inutile negocieri de natură stilistică…

Nota acordată romanului : 7,3

https://www.bucurestifm.ro/2024/12/02...

[Socrate · Rating 3 out of 5]

David Marin îşi muşcă buzele când preşedintele Consiliului Conducătorilor de grup anunţă cu gravitate:
— Şi acum, cazul lui Wade Trask, acuzat de răzvrătire.
Marin trăsese până atunci cu urechea la spusele lui John Peeler, unul din conducători, care, după un an, mai încerca încă să îi convingă pe membrii Consiliului că ar trebui făcută o modificare în legea grupului referitoare la statutul femeii. Era un secret binecunoscut de toţi faptul că Peeler se ataşase în mod deosebit de o tânără şi că se străduia să facă o lege specială care să o ferească pe fată de jocurile de împerechere ale grupului.
Marin renunţă să mai asculte cearta dusă pe şoptite. Wade Trask, vinovat de răzvrătire era cazul pe care îl aştepta. Îşi lăsă privirea să rătăcească de-a lungul sălii de consiliu. O duzină de alţi oameni şi doi secretari stăteau la o masă lungă, luând notiţe. Oscar Podrage, tânărul îndesat şi posomorât care era conducătorul Americii de Nord Centrale, ridică ochii şi întrebă:
— El e savantul acela?
Medellin, preşedintele, făcu un semn unuia din secretari. Funcţionarul se uită prin nişte hârtii, apoi citi cu glas tare:
— Wade Trask, inginer fizician, expert în materie de Prippi, experimentator în electronică… Se opri. E o listă cu cărţile pe care le-a scris.
Preşedintele Medellin îşi mută privirea de la un chip la altul.
— Se pare că suntem de acord, domnilor, spuse el.
În vocea lui se simţea un ton de uşurare.

[Bruce A. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of a high political muckety-muck who, for some unexplainable reason, pleads for the life a seditious scientist who has been sentenced to death. That scientist switches bodies with the politician, but the politician, through his extraordinary intelligence, and luck, manages to get on top again in the end.

The moral of the story seems to be that high & mighty people will always be high & mighty because they are important. Yes, a circular argument.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read some of A.E. van Vogt's books and I think this one will be the last one for a while.
He has brilliant ideas but the end result is messy and with lots of loose ends.
This one, about man vs machine with a twist about moving consciousness from one body to another, had so much potential but did not delivered.
Still, it was a genius idea.

[Philip Tidman · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dystopian novel set in a future where everybody of importance may or may not be controlled by a super-computer and individualism is frowned upon. Except for the leaders, obviously. A fairly convoluted plot keeps the action crawling along. Not terribly well written, though it does have some really interesting ideas.

[Marki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I loved Slan. When I was 10. (10-point steel, get it?) I have spent the next 50 years trying to find readable works by this author and failing every time. Confusion is his trope, misdirection is his mantra. This being a stellar example. I reread Slan recently and steel was no longer good enough. Good-bye forever Alfred Elliot, fellow Canadian, unfortunately you failed for me.

[Larry Wegman · Rating 2 out of 5]

An odd, but adventurous sci-fi story of a future under what seems like absolute control, but of course there are cracks. Our hero's mind is transferred to the body of someone the authorities are looking for, and he needs to save the day while trying to save himself.

[Zäkämäkätäkämäkä · Rating 3 out of 5]

This novel has an interesting premise which leads to an interesting premise. It is dystopian in form and function with the thinking machine, the Brain, being the interesting premise while David Marin figures it out.

[Aria · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dnf fairly early on. 3rd & last try w/ this author. Managed to get to p.98 by skimming, but I'm just done w/ this guy.

[Francesco Granati · Rating 1 out of 5]

one of the most inconsequential and least logical books I have ever read

[Akeesa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I found this quite boring. It felt mostly explaining rather than storytelling.
Vogt's style of writing works for me in some novels and this was not one of them.

[Dysnekro · Rating 1 out of 5]

3/10

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book, although the ending was a little anticlimactic.

[Fiona_Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cool premise for a story I just didn't find it to be engaging

[Paul]

I read this when it was new in 1957 or shortly thereafter. On re-reading, the foresight technically is astonishing. He even details a scheme for voice recognition by devices. I've forgotten everything about it other than a warm memory of it and so far it is astonishingly good. The society the characters live in are trying to bridge totalitarian socialism to freedom and property rights, with group sex, but without free speech. Yikes!

Plot resolution a little convoluted.