Ultimate World

by Hugo Gernsback

SF Rediscovery Series #14

Genres: Fiction, Science Fiction

187 pages, Trade Paperback

Published November 1, 1975

About the author

Hugo Gernsback (August 16, 1884 – August 19, 1967), born Hugo Gernsbacher, was a Luxembourgian-American inventor, writer, editor, and magazine publisher, best remembered for publications that included the first science fiction magazine. His contributions to the genre as publisher were so significant that, along with H. G. Wells and Jules Verne, he is sometimes popularly called "The Father of Science Fiction".

In his honor, the annual Science Fiction Achievement awards are named the "Hugos".

Reviews

[William Oarlock · Rating 4 out of 5]

A prosaic but charming attempt at 'High-Brow' Science Fiction by the man who coined the term and reads like a cocktail of Wells' STAR BEGOTTEN, Wyndham's MIDWICH CUCKOOS and Clarke's CHILDHOOD'S END while of course failing to reach the heights of those writers.

[Bryan · Rating 1 out of 5]

In the "Not winning a Hugo award" category comes this book by Hugo himself - yes, the very Hugo Gernsback for whom the trophy is named.

Don't waste your time - this is consistently lousy throughout.

Might be worth using in experiments, though. Scan it using OCR, and then use a monotonous text-to-speech program. See if this puts people to sleep faster than over-the-counter sleep remedies...

[Jesse · Rating 2 out of 5]

One of his few novels and while it's not his best work by any means, it may be worth checking out for those interested in his writings. Ultimate World depicts an alien invasion and the consequences it has on the human race. The aliens are so advanced that the human race is utterly helpless against them however the aliens are not hostile. Gernback remains strangely optimistic when it becomes clear the invaders are a scientific research expedition and their presence may be beneficial to the human race. The main characters, Dr. Dubious and his wife who we first experience the alien phenomenon with, lack any real characterization. They are merely the eyes from which we first see events unfold. Included are a plethora of fantastic inventions many of which exist is some form today. A trait the writing of Gernback is well known for. Another notable attribute common in his writing is sex, or the study of, which is also featured here including descriptions of sex in zero gravity. The invaders begin abducting couples and force breeding them, using their genetic material to create an evolved race of super children who are vehemently anti war. The story climaxes when the Xenos are met by a rival and hostile alien race.

[Alien · Rating 1 out of 5]

Und wieder eine ET Invasion! Die aus Kugeln bestehenden Raumschiffe schweben über den Häusern von 200 Wissenschaftlern. Ein mysteriöser Energie-Schlauch schliesst die Häuser ein. Er ist undurchdringlich, selbst eine Wasserstoffbombe kann ihn nicht beschädigen. Die ETs machen die Wissenschaftler und ihre Frauen mit Hilfe eines Gases rattenscharf, so dass sie am laufenden Band kopulieren. Als die Raumschiffe verschwinden, stellt man fest, dass die Eingeschlossenen einen Tag "verloren" haben. Was ist geschehen? Offenbar wurde den Frauen befruchtete Eier entnommen, um Menschen zu züchten. Die Atommächte verbünden sich gegen den neuen Feind.

Meine Meinung dazu:
Mir kam bald das Wort "Grosskotzigkeit" in den Sinn. Ich hatte wirklich Mühe mit dem Stil.
Der Roman stammt offenbar aus dem Zeitalter der Strahlen. Es gibt so viele verschiedene Arten davon: "Micromicro Strahlen", "Durchdringungsstrahlen" mit denen man in Menschen reinsehen kann. Der "Hör-Radarstrahl"mit dem man aus 37km ein Gebäude belauschen kann. Die X-Bomben-Strahlen, die Menschen töten aber nicht Gegenstände beschädigen.

Der Roman tut wissenschaftlich, erzählt aber total absurden Mist. Das nervt. Das ganze ist nicht wie ein Roman geschrieben sondern wie ein Bericht. Das macht es nicht vergnüglicher zu lesen. Darum früh abgebrochen