Beyond the Vanishing Point

Matter, Space, and Time

by Ray Cummings

When George Randolph first caught sight of Orena, he was astounded by its gleaming perfection. Here were hills and valleys, lakes and streams, glowing with the light of the most precious of metals. And, more astonishing than that, it was a world of miniature perfection -an infinitely tiny universe within a golden atom! But for Randolph it was also a world aglow with danger. Somewhere in its tiny vastness were the friends he had to rescue. Captives of a madman, they had been reduced to native Orena size; to return to Earth they needed the growth capsules Randolph was bringing them. It was up to Randolph to find them - and quickly - for the longer they stayed tiny, the closer they came to passing BEYOND THE VANISHING POINT!

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fiction

106 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1931

About the author

Raymond King Cummings. His career resulted in some 750 novels and short stories, using also the pen names Ray King, Gabrielle Cummings, and Gabriel Wilson.

See Wikipedia

Reviews

[Joseph Carrabis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating read on many levels. It's primary action is set just north of Quebec City (which I love) and the protagonist travels up well-known (to me) Maine roads to get there (well before interstates or the trans-canada existed).
The story comes down to being able to shrink individuals down in size to the point they become subatomic. What wonderful new worlds await?
Great premise. Is this where Asimov got the idea for Fantastic Voyage? The big flaw to me was that the size shifts were done by drugs (or seemed to be when reading). And let's forget about the size limitations imposed by the chemical reactions necessary for life to exist.
But what the heck, a tale of heroism and valor, writ...small...

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining fantasy listening 🎶🔰

Another will written fantasy Sci-Fi adventure thriller short story by Ray Cummings about a drug 💉 that makes you shrink to very small or grow to great heights as a number of humans try too save their world 🌎. I would highly recommend this novella to readers of fantasy novels 👍🔰. Enjoy the adventure of reading 👓 or listening 🎶 to Alexa as I do because of eye and health issues. 2022 👒😊💑🏡

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mix of “Alice in Wonderland,” “The Fly,” and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids” (remembering that it was published in 1931.)

Everything happens quickly, the fight scenes are believable and the descriptions of becoming smaller and larger, truly dizzying.

Loved the fact that in 1931, radioactivity was our friend. Also, that we were able to travel by air in our own vehicles (a bit of “The Jetsons.”)

[Deanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this story! An astounding tale of adventure in size. What is to say that we also are not living in a miniature world?! Story moves along at a good pace and is a page turner!

[Katrina McCollough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! You can read it here: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/30166...

[Jerimy Stoll · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a similar story to Cummings's The Girl in the Golden Atom. This is another world in a small piece of gold. It was okay. The story felt rushed and there were contradictions early on. I was a little disappointed because I liked two of his other stories very much. Still, it's worth a read for people who like science fiction, and I do.

[SciFiOne]

Ace Double Novel D331
Beyond the Vanishing Point - not read
Secret of Zi - C

[Sintija Valucka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very well written and in general I found it interesting, so I think I can say that I liked it, but I can't say that I really liked it, so 3 stars.

[Susan Molloy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too odd ball for me. Too many pills to make people large or small. Too bland. Comme ci comme ça.