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The House Between the Worlds
Fenton was only a 'tweenman, without body or shadow; his body lay back in the laboratory where Dr. Garnock was experimenting with a new drug. Yet Fenton was in the fairy world of the Alfar, helplessly watching the Faerie Queen of the Alfar attacked and captured by the hideous, goblinlike ironfolk. And he was fading, irresistibly being drawn back to his body.
He had to return to save the Faerie Queen - and to save his own world from the ironfolk. But not even Sally Lobeck would believe him. Garnock refused him more drug and confiscated the talisman that would let hem return in his body as a worldwalker, free to move through the Gateways between worlds.
His only hope lay in finding the mysterious House between the Worlds. but the House could only be found when and where it wanted. And apparently, it didn't want Fenton to find it!
He had to return to save the Faerie Queen - and to save his own world from the ironfolk. But not even Sally Lobeck would believe him. Garnock refused him more drug and confiscated the talisman that would let hem return in his body as a worldwalker, free to move through the Gateways between worlds.
His only hope lay in finding the mysterious House between the Worlds. but the House could only be found when and where it wanted. And apparently, it didn't want Fenton to find it!
314 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
16 people are currently reading
598 people want to read
About the author
Marion Zimmer Bradley
800 books4,867 followersMarion Eleanor Zimmer Bradley was an American author of fantasy novels such as The Mists of Avalon and the Darkover series, often with a feminist outlook.
Bradley's first published novel-length work was Falcons of Narabedla, first published in the May 1957 issue of Other Worlds. When she was a child, Bradley stated that she enjoyed reading adventure fantasy authors such as Henry Kuttner, Edmond Hamilton, and Leigh Brackett, especially when they wrote about "the glint of strange suns on worlds that never were and never would be." Her first novel and much of her subsequent work show their influence strongly.
Early in her career, writing as Morgan Ives, Miriam Gardner, John Dexter, and Lee Chapman, Marion Zimmer Bradley produced several works outside the speculative fiction genre, including some gay and lesbian pulp fiction novels. For example, I Am a Lesbian was published in 1962. Though relatively tame by today's standards, they were considered pornographic when published, and for a long time she refused to disclose the titles she wrote under these pseudonyms.
Her 1958 story The Planet Savers introduced the planet of Darkover, which became the setting of a popular series by Bradley and other authors. The Darkover milieu may be considered as either fantasy with science fiction overtones or as science fiction with fantasy overtones, as Darkover is a lost earth colony where psi powers developed to an unusual degree. Bradley wrote many Darkover novels by herself, but in her later years collaborated with other authors for publication; her literary collaborators have continued the series since her death.
Bradley took an active role in science-fiction and fantasy fandom, promoting interaction with professional authors and publishers and making several important contributions to the subculture.
For many years, Bradley actively encouraged Darkover fan fiction and reprinted some of it in commercial Darkover anthologies, continuing to encourage submissions from unpublished authors, but this ended after a dispute with a fan over an unpublished Darkover novel of Bradley's that had similarities to some of the fan's stories. As a result, the novel remained unpublished, and Bradley demanded the cessation of all Darkover fan fiction.
Bradley was also the editor of the long-running Sword and Sorceress anthology series, which encouraged submissions of fantasy stories featuring original and non-traditional heroines from young and upcoming authors. Although she particularly encouraged young female authors, she was not averse to including male authors in her anthologies. Mercedes Lackey was just one of many authors who first appeared in the anthologies. She also maintained a large family of writers at her home in Berkeley. Ms Bradley was editing the final Sword and Sorceress manuscript up until the week of her death in September of 1999.
Probably her most famous single novel is The Mists of Avalon. A retelling of the Camelot legend from the point of view of Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar, it grew into a series of books; like the Darkover series, the later novels are written with or by other authors and have continued to appear after Bradley's death.
Her reputation has been posthumously marred by multiple accusations of child sexual abuse by her daughter Moira Greyland, and for allegedly assisting her second husband, convicted child abuser Walter Breen, in sexually abusing multiple unrelated children.
(from Wikipedia)
Bradley's first published novel-length work was Falcons of Narabedla, first published in the May 1957 issue of Other Worlds. When she was a child, Bradley stated that she enjoyed reading adventure fantasy authors such as Henry Kuttner, Edmond Hamilton, and Leigh Brackett, especially when they wrote about "the glint of strange suns on worlds that never were and never would be." Her first novel and much of her subsequent work show their influence strongly.
Early in her career, writing as Morgan Ives, Miriam Gardner, John Dexter, and Lee Chapman, Marion Zimmer Bradley produced several works outside the speculative fiction genre, including some gay and lesbian pulp fiction novels. For example, I Am a Lesbian was published in 1962. Though relatively tame by today's standards, they were considered pornographic when published, and for a long time she refused to disclose the titles she wrote under these pseudonyms.
Her 1958 story The Planet Savers introduced the planet of Darkover, which became the setting of a popular series by Bradley and other authors. The Darkover milieu may be considered as either fantasy with science fiction overtones or as science fiction with fantasy overtones, as Darkover is a lost earth colony where psi powers developed to an unusual degree. Bradley wrote many Darkover novels by herself, but in her later years collaborated with other authors for publication; her literary collaborators have continued the series since her death.
Bradley took an active role in science-fiction and fantasy fandom, promoting interaction with professional authors and publishers and making several important contributions to the subculture.
For many years, Bradley actively encouraged Darkover fan fiction and reprinted some of it in commercial Darkover anthologies, continuing to encourage submissions from unpublished authors, but this ended after a dispute with a fan over an unpublished Darkover novel of Bradley's that had similarities to some of the fan's stories. As a result, the novel remained unpublished, and Bradley demanded the cessation of all Darkover fan fiction.
Bradley was also the editor of the long-running Sword and Sorceress anthology series, which encouraged submissions of fantasy stories featuring original and non-traditional heroines from young and upcoming authors. Although she particularly encouraged young female authors, she was not averse to including male authors in her anthologies. Mercedes Lackey was just one of many authors who first appeared in the anthologies. She also maintained a large family of writers at her home in Berkeley. Ms Bradley was editing the final Sword and Sorceress manuscript up until the week of her death in September of 1999.
Probably her most famous single novel is The Mists of Avalon. A retelling of the Camelot legend from the point of view of Morgaine and Gwenhwyfar, it grew into a series of books; like the Darkover series, the later novels are written with or by other authors and have continued to appear after Bradley's death.
Her reputation has been posthumously marred by multiple accusations of child sexual abuse by her daughter Moira Greyland, and for allegedly assisting her second husband, convicted child abuser Walter Breen, in sexually abusing multiple unrelated children.
(from Wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 12, 2023
This one is a long term favourite which I have been re-reading since I first discovered it in my teens.
While I have enjoyed many works by this iconic sci-fi author, this one is definitely my favourite by her. The plot holds together nicely, the slow simmer of events is perfectly paced and the characters are excellent.
As you can see from the back cover, Cameron Fenton offers to participate in a drug trial in the (fictional) Parapsychology department at Berkley university. As a result he finds himself 'walking' into other worlds, but he is only there as a 'tweenman' an unsubstantial ghost, with limited powers to act in these worlds, though he can communicate freely with other inhabitants of the various worlds (except, coyly, his own world apparently).
On his first 'worldwalk' he witnesses a hoard of strange goblin like creatures called ironmen break out of a cave to kill and capture fairy-like people who are called the Alfar. Unable to resist helping them Fenton is drawn inexorably into their world and their concerns. This involvement is complicated by the fact that the people involved in the program do not in the least bit believe him that these worlds are real. His debriefing initially makes him doubt his experiences but he becomes more and more convinced that these worlds are real and then, that the threat of the goblin-like Ironfolk is an existing threat to this world.
Great story, so much I love about it. This notion of changelings, and especially Emma's story and how it ties into Fenton's family, is excellent. So MANY things about this book are excellent, usually in understated ways. The idea of the 'worldhouse' is prevalent in so much literature and the concept of gateways between worlds that is not always there - gold! This concept grabs me every time, but even more so when it is bookshop with D&D players in the back room.
The ending is perfect and while even as a kid I wanted more, this is perfect as a stand alone book, it needs no more, no follow-up and is a perfect read as is.
While I have enjoyed many works by this iconic sci-fi author, this one is definitely my favourite by her. The plot holds together nicely, the slow simmer of events is perfectly paced and the characters are excellent.
As you can see from the back cover, Cameron Fenton offers to participate in a drug trial in the (fictional) Parapsychology department at Berkley university. As a result he finds himself 'walking' into other worlds, but he is only there as a 'tweenman' an unsubstantial ghost, with limited powers to act in these worlds, though he can communicate freely with other inhabitants of the various worlds (except, coyly, his own world apparently).
On his first 'worldwalk' he witnesses a hoard of strange goblin like creatures called ironmen break out of a cave to kill and capture fairy-like people who are called the Alfar. Unable to resist helping them Fenton is drawn inexorably into their world and their concerns. This involvement is complicated by the fact that the people involved in the program do not in the least bit believe him that these worlds are real. His debriefing initially makes him doubt his experiences but he becomes more and more convinced that these worlds are real and then, that the threat of the goblin-like Ironfolk is an existing threat to this world.
Great story, so much I love about it. This notion of changelings, and especially Emma's story and how it ties into Fenton's family, is excellent. So MANY things about this book are excellent, usually in understated ways. The idea of the 'worldhouse' is prevalent in so much literature and the concept of gateways between worlds that is not always there - gold! This concept grabs me every time, but even more so when it is bookshop with D&D players in the back room.
The ending is perfect and while even as a kid I wanted more, this is perfect as a stand alone book, it needs no more, no follow-up and is a perfect read as is.
September 17, 2015
This is basically a swords and planet story updated to the seventies. The world is slightly different than ours. Besides the Berkeley name change the author mentions in the preface, cars run on alcohol, and Dungeons and Dragons is played on a board.
The researchers in The House Between the Worlds are the worst caricatures of the unscientific wishful parapsychologist. The ones who complain that you should only count the times they got it right, not believing statistics mean they will get a good run. The kind who complain that experiments are designed to stifle psychic powers. Who think that just because Einstein couldn’t see atoms, his formula are no better than their spotty statistics, so why won’t anyone believe them?
Funnily, the parapsychologists Fenton knows decide that what he is doing is ESP and teleportation, and that this proves their theories. And refuse to believe Fenton when he tells them of other worlds. They are as closed-minded to supernatural ideas that contradict parapsychology as they are to scientific ideas that contradict parapsychology.
Fenton himself is annoying as hell. He hoards information. In his travels he learns very important information about the Alfar enemy, and never bothers to say anything about it. He learns that the enemy’s minions travel through multiple worlds and dismisses it as “unimportant” when speaking with the Alfar—though at least one of the worlds contains a potentially powerful ally. He never tells his friend in the Alfar who she really is to him.
That said, I always wanted to keep reading, and always wanted to know how each mess he got into cleared itself up. It’s worth reading, if you’re willing to put yourself back into the seventies mindset it was written in.
The researchers in The House Between the Worlds are the worst caricatures of the unscientific wishful parapsychologist. The ones who complain that you should only count the times they got it right, not believing statistics mean they will get a good run. The kind who complain that experiments are designed to stifle psychic powers. Who think that just because Einstein couldn’t see atoms, his formula are no better than their spotty statistics, so why won’t anyone believe them?
Funnily, the parapsychologists Fenton knows decide that what he is doing is ESP and teleportation, and that this proves their theories. And refuse to believe Fenton when he tells them of other worlds. They are as closed-minded to supernatural ideas that contradict parapsychology as they are to scientific ideas that contradict parapsychology.
Fenton himself is annoying as hell. He hoards information. In his travels he learns very important information about the Alfar enemy, and never bothers to say anything about it. He learns that the enemy’s minions travel through multiple worlds and dismisses it as “unimportant” when speaking with the Alfar—though at least one of the worlds contains a potentially powerful ally. He never tells his friend in the Alfar who she really is to him.
That said, I always wanted to keep reading, and always wanted to know how each mess he got into cleared itself up. It’s worth reading, if you’re willing to put yourself back into the seventies mindset it was written in.
August 5, 2009
What a thrilling ride! This is a real gem of paranormal fiction! As both a parapsychologist and a SCAdian, this was a treat to read - to see the fledgling view of both, the beginnings of a dream and a delightful fantasy blended together by an artist's hands is truly a wonderful thing, and the imagery and research put into this book were phenomenal. How wonderful it must have been to be a part of all these things, taking place at the epicenter of some of the most liberal ideas of the time!
July 16, 2012
This science fiction/fantasy story has an interesting concept about alternate worlds and how they affect each other. The main character is able to cross through to another universe through the use of a drug involved in a parapsychology study. He faces personal difficulties as he comes to believe in the therory of alternate worlds and attempts to convince those involved with the study. He also becomes emotionally involved in an ongoing conflict in one of the worlds. As all the worlds start to overflow into each other, he must fight to protect all the universes and put to right the "gates" between the worlds.
I found the concept good and liked how it was used to explain history and mythology. However, I sometimes felt that the writting style was rather junevile and simplistic. I would have enjoyed a bit more detail and depth.
I found the concept good and liked how it was used to explain history and mythology. However, I sometimes felt that the writting style was rather junevile and simplistic. I would have enjoyed a bit more detail and depth.
January 17, 2024
Fenton macht als Proband bei einem Experiment der parapsychologischen Fachbereichs seiner Uni mit, er kriegt eine Droge verabreicht. Seine Seele verlässt den Körper und er findet sich in einer fremden Welt voller Feen und Unholde wieder.
Recht routiniert. Der seitenlange Sermon, der erklärt, dass man verbohrt sei, wenn man immer noch nicht an PSI glaube, hat mich genervt. Nicht allzu gut geschrieben. Eigentlich insgesamt schwach, aber ich wollte doch wissen, wie es weitergeht
Recht routiniert. Der seitenlange Sermon, der erklärt, dass man verbohrt sei, wenn man immer noch nicht an PSI glaube, hat mich genervt. Nicht allzu gut geschrieben. Eigentlich insgesamt schwach, aber ich wollte doch wissen, wie es weitergeht
Read
March 1, 2021Read twice: once when I was in high school, and once in 2020. I loved it in school, and couldn't bring myself to finish it the second time around. (DNF at about 35% in.) If you're able to get past the writing style and questionable characters (I didn't like any of the characters, personally) you might enjoy the story in this one. I did still like the concept in my 2020 re-read, though it seemed wasted in the amount of book I read.
October 15, 2017
I did really enjoy the first 60 or so pages, but then the book just seemed to get bogged down in ... strangeness.
Maybe if I knew anything at all about Dungeons and Dragons I would have enjoyed this book more,
but I don't so I didn't. LOL
Ah well, on to the next.
Maybe if I knew anything at all about Dungeons and Dragons I would have enjoyed this book more,
but I don't so I didn't. LOL
Ah well, on to the next.
December 27, 2008
There isn't much to the book. It's worth skimming, but it's not deep.
March 12, 2011
Grade C-
May 17, 2016
This is the only novel by MZB that I found tolerable.
June 11, 2018
Reread. Love Mist of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley, many of the Darkover series, this one didn’t work for me
Read
August 29, 2022La prima volta che ho letto un libro di Bradley avevo circa 8 anni. Ho letto le Brume di Avalon, e La Spada Incantata è stato il mio libro preferito per anni.
Oggi, 26 anni dopo, mi sono rimessa a rileggere questa scrittrice, e ho trovato questo libro qui.
Insomma, ho capito che tutti i libri di Bradley sono una storia sola:
Prendiamo un maschio un po' perso. Diamolo una descrizione molto semplice, sempre un po' misterioso, anche se uno degli unici personaggi maschi. Gli altri uomini saranno sempre parenti delle donne. E di donne ce ne sono tante! E descriviamo anche tantissimi dettagli su di loro. Ma tantissimi. Dai cappelli a come se muove, alle ciglia. Ah, le donne saranno guerriere e regine, ma, per il nostro uomo viaggiante, saranno sempre Bambine. Breda.
Entriamo poi in queste caverne per cercare queste donne e prendiamoci delle spade fighe per salvarle di questi uomini-animali.
Andate a cercare cosa ha fatto Bradley e tutti questi dettagli sembreranno ancora peggio.
Oggi, 26 anni dopo, mi sono rimessa a rileggere questa scrittrice, e ho trovato questo libro qui.
Insomma, ho capito che tutti i libri di Bradley sono una storia sola:
Prendiamo un maschio un po' perso. Diamolo una descrizione molto semplice, sempre un po' misterioso, anche se uno degli unici personaggi maschi. Gli altri uomini saranno sempre parenti delle donne. E di donne ce ne sono tante! E descriviamo anche tantissimi dettagli su di loro. Ma tantissimi. Dai cappelli a come se muove, alle ciglia. Ah, le donne saranno guerriere e regine, ma, per il nostro uomo viaggiante, saranno sempre Bambine. Breda.
Entriamo poi in queste caverne per cercare queste donne e prendiamoci delle spade fighe per salvarle di questi uomini-animali.
Andate a cercare cosa ha fatto Bradley e tutti questi dettagli sembreranno ancora peggio.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 26, 2023
La Casa tra i Mondi è un ottimo libro che ci presenta una M.Z.B. inedita e sicuramente lontana dalle sue ambientazioni classiche (Darkover e Avalon). La trama vede un giovane ragazzo di nome Fenton attraversare un mondo sconosciuto e magico dove, suo malgrado, si troverà ad aiutare gli Elfi che vi abitano nella lotta finale contro un esercito di creature maligne e il loro oscuro signore. Quanti di voi hanno voluto fortemente cercare di vivere in un'altra realtà? Questo stupendo libro allora è quello che fa per voi.... e anche la lavanderia sotto casa comincerà a sembrarvi alquanto sospetta!
January 26, 2021
I loved this book. It was adventurous and exciting. It incited fear, frustration, suspense, joy, and wonder. If I were to critique anything, it would be the very last paragraph of the entire book (round table/and the mandatory arthurian names). It was a bit silly and didn't really fit with the rest of the book. However, overall I loved it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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October 23, 2025Cameron Fenton participates in a parapsychology study, using an experimental drug. Instead of increasing his ESP, it causes him to leave his his body and enter other worlds. But are they real, or do they exist only in his mind? And if they are real, will he ever be able to get anyone in his world to believe him?
February 13, 2025
(4.5 stars)
i found this book in the depths of a used bookstore and had zero expectations for it, but i thoroughly enjoyed it! the blend of sci-fi and fantasy was really fun. not sure why d&d is played on a board in this universe, but i can (barely) look past it
i found this book in the depths of a used bookstore and had zero expectations for it, but i thoroughly enjoyed it! the blend of sci-fi and fantasy was really fun. not sure why d&d is played on a board in this universe, but i can (barely) look past it
July 13, 2020
Third reading says it all
March 6, 2022
fate e multiversi, noioso
August 11, 2023
40% science fiction, 60% fantasy. The science fiction aspects were so cool. Great theories and analysis. I did not prefer the fantasy aspects at all, it felt like two separate books.
May 6, 2016
Copyright 1981. This has always been one of my favorite books, but it's illuminating to read it again with new eyes. Some of the messages there. Learned them at 10 as fiction. Learning them again at 45 as more than fiction.
(Possible spoilers in the quotes.)
The gnomes message in the rock world about all life being one.
"Others having forgotten that all life is one, and meaning harm to dance-world, tree-world, light-world. So making them, in pain, one with self-substance, showing them once that all life is one."
Cam's learning to let go and trust his instincts.
He did not know if he was reading the old man's thoughts, or whether it was intuition or clairvoyance. Maybe, in the universe he was now inhabiting, there was no difference between them. He simply knew. Jennifer had somehow known that he was ready for that knowledge. Cameron Fenton had been a parapsychologist for ten years. And he knew, now, that he was only beginning to learn the very first thing about parapsychology. It was an opening door, a new world he was entering, a new universe.
The dig at organized religion.
How long had the Worldhouse been in operation? Probably, he thought, from time immemorial—if time had any meaning in the new picture of the cosmos which the very existence of the Worldhouse had given him. And somewhere along that line, control of the Gates had slipped. In Pentarn's world they had fallen under control of a power-mad dictator who was using them recklessly for his own purposes, without realizing what this might do to the Gates. And in Fenton's world, their existence had been forgotten, kept secret, eventually fallen into the hands of amateurs and volunteers because the scientific establishment was less and less ready to accept anything like that. The time could be measured in millennia here, too. Certainly the Worldgates had not been known in historical times. But historical time, according to some new theories, was only a fraction of the time man had lived on this planet... unless you wanted to stick to the exploded theory that history had begun in 4004 BC when God created the world in seven days, fossils and all, to confuse the ungodly.
The observation that parapsychology is one of the few fields where no amount of evidence will change people's minds.
What would it matter, then, if we did prove that some people can hear things believed to be out of earshot and see things out of the range of their eyes? Most of us have known all along that clairvoyance and clairaudience are facts; why should we spend all this effort trying to prove these things to ignoramuses who have told us they wouldn't believe them with ten times the evidence, anyhow?
And having gone that far Fenton was forced to stop and wonder: what was a fact anyhow?
The idea of risks and path and purpose.
"All the same," Fenton said, "I have the right to choose what risks I will take." He had been taking risks, knowingly, ever since he chose parapsychology as a field—first, the risk of abandoning a respectable psychologist's profession, then the risks of strange talents, experimentation with drugs that could loosen the inner girders of the mind. He wondered if all those risks had been run to prepare him for this moment of choice.
The total sceptic and the true believer.
Sally laughed and nodded. "I forget which scientist it was who said that the universe is not only queerer than we imagine, but queerer than we can imagine," she said.
"That's so," Uncle Stan agreed. "In your business—Cam told me you were working in parapsychology too—you ought to know that, if anybody does. You must get awfully tired of skeptics who don't believe what's right under their noses. And almost as tired, I'd imagine, of people who believe all kinds of hogwash without a shred of proof. You folks really have to walk a chalk line, in that business, don't you? Skepticism on one side and credulity on the other, and both of them completely blind to logic and rational proof, either way."
"Oh, you're so right," Sally said. "That's why we try to make sure the people we take in the department are fairly stable to start with. Accept an ignorant and logic-proof skeptic, breach his skepticism, and he turns into an equally ignorant and logic-proof True Believer."
And this....
He just didn't like the idea of being a Flat-Earther of the mind, the kind of person who didn't want facts muddling up his prejudices.
(Possible spoilers in the quotes.)
The gnomes message in the rock world about all life being one.
"Others having forgotten that all life is one, and meaning harm to dance-world, tree-world, light-world. So making them, in pain, one with self-substance, showing them once that all life is one."
Cam's learning to let go and trust his instincts.
He did not know if he was reading the old man's thoughts, or whether it was intuition or clairvoyance. Maybe, in the universe he was now inhabiting, there was no difference between them. He simply knew. Jennifer had somehow known that he was ready for that knowledge. Cameron Fenton had been a parapsychologist for ten years. And he knew, now, that he was only beginning to learn the very first thing about parapsychology. It was an opening door, a new world he was entering, a new universe.
The dig at organized religion.
How long had the Worldhouse been in operation? Probably, he thought, from time immemorial—if time had any meaning in the new picture of the cosmos which the very existence of the Worldhouse had given him. And somewhere along that line, control of the Gates had slipped. In Pentarn's world they had fallen under control of a power-mad dictator who was using them recklessly for his own purposes, without realizing what this might do to the Gates. And in Fenton's world, their existence had been forgotten, kept secret, eventually fallen into the hands of amateurs and volunteers because the scientific establishment was less and less ready to accept anything like that. The time could be measured in millennia here, too. Certainly the Worldgates had not been known in historical times. But historical time, according to some new theories, was only a fraction of the time man had lived on this planet... unless you wanted to stick to the exploded theory that history had begun in 4004 BC when God created the world in seven days, fossils and all, to confuse the ungodly.
The observation that parapsychology is one of the few fields where no amount of evidence will change people's minds.
What would it matter, then, if we did prove that some people can hear things believed to be out of earshot and see things out of the range of their eyes? Most of us have known all along that clairvoyance and clairaudience are facts; why should we spend all this effort trying to prove these things to ignoramuses who have told us they wouldn't believe them with ten times the evidence, anyhow?
And having gone that far Fenton was forced to stop and wonder: what was a fact anyhow?
The idea of risks and path and purpose.
"All the same," Fenton said, "I have the right to choose what risks I will take." He had been taking risks, knowingly, ever since he chose parapsychology as a field—first, the risk of abandoning a respectable psychologist's profession, then the risks of strange talents, experimentation with drugs that could loosen the inner girders of the mind. He wondered if all those risks had been run to prepare him for this moment of choice.
The total sceptic and the true believer.
Sally laughed and nodded. "I forget which scientist it was who said that the universe is not only queerer than we imagine, but queerer than we can imagine," she said.
"That's so," Uncle Stan agreed. "In your business—Cam told me you were working in parapsychology too—you ought to know that, if anybody does. You must get awfully tired of skeptics who don't believe what's right under their noses. And almost as tired, I'd imagine, of people who believe all kinds of hogwash without a shred of proof. You folks really have to walk a chalk line, in that business, don't you? Skepticism on one side and credulity on the other, and both of them completely blind to logic and rational proof, either way."
"Oh, you're so right," Sally said. "That's why we try to make sure the people we take in the department are fairly stable to start with. Accept an ignorant and logic-proof skeptic, breach his skepticism, and he turns into an equally ignorant and logic-proof True Believer."
And this....
He just didn't like the idea of being a Flat-Earther of the mind, the kind of person who didn't want facts muddling up his prejudices.
February 15, 2016
La casa tra i mondi, in originale "The House Between the Worlds" è un romanzo fantasy del 1980 scritto da Marion Zimmer Bradley, famosissima in tutto il mondo per i noti cicli di "Avalon" a sfondo fantasy, e di "Darkover" a sfondo fantascienza e pubblicato per la prima volta in italia da Fanucci nel 1997.
La trama è presto scritta: sono i giorni radiosi degli studenti e della contestazione, e ci troviamo all'Università di Berkeley, negli anni settanta. Cameron Fenton è uno studente che fa praticantato presso l'università, e decide di prendere parte a un nuovo esperimento, durante il quale vengono adoperate delle potenti droghe allucinogene di nuova progettazione... che però danno risultati piuttosto sconvolgenti, al di là di ogni immaginazione. Sarà così che Cameron si vedrà catapultato in un mondo fantastico quanto terribile, lucente quanto cupo, alla presenza di Kerridis, principessa degli elfi, rapita da un'orda di mostri senza cuore, gli Ironfolk, nemici mortali degli elfi, che la conduce nelle oscure caverne dove vive un umano, Pentarn, loro capo. L'equilibrio dei mondi ora è in mano a Cameron Fenton.
Classico libro fantasy, dove si usa il pretesto dei mondi paralleli in cui il protagonista riesce a penetrare nel corso di esperimenti con l'uso della droga LSD; troviamo i soliti noti cliché con le popolazioni in perenne lotta tra di loro, la classica contrapposizione buoni/cattivi. La trama risulta essere troppo lunga, soprattutto la prima parte che è a tratti veramente pesante, dove l'autrice approfondisce troppo i "dubbi esistenziali" del suo protagonista, che si traducono in continui periodi interrogativi, retti da domande sopra domande, in merito agli eventi che stanno accadendo.
Quando qualcosa comincia a muoversi in questa "casa dei mondi", la trama diventa più avvincente, ma praticamente tutto ciò avviene alla fine del libro, fuori tempo massimo. Sicuramente non il suo romanzo migliore, si fa leggere senza infamia e senza lode. Tipica lettura d'evasione senza alcun impegno.
Presto dimenticato.
La trama è presto scritta: sono i giorni radiosi degli studenti e della contestazione, e ci troviamo all'Università di Berkeley, negli anni settanta. Cameron Fenton è uno studente che fa praticantato presso l'università, e decide di prendere parte a un nuovo esperimento, durante il quale vengono adoperate delle potenti droghe allucinogene di nuova progettazione... che però danno risultati piuttosto sconvolgenti, al di là di ogni immaginazione. Sarà così che Cameron si vedrà catapultato in un mondo fantastico quanto terribile, lucente quanto cupo, alla presenza di Kerridis, principessa degli elfi, rapita da un'orda di mostri senza cuore, gli Ironfolk, nemici mortali degli elfi, che la conduce nelle oscure caverne dove vive un umano, Pentarn, loro capo. L'equilibrio dei mondi ora è in mano a Cameron Fenton.
Classico libro fantasy, dove si usa il pretesto dei mondi paralleli in cui il protagonista riesce a penetrare nel corso di esperimenti con l'uso della droga LSD; troviamo i soliti noti cliché con le popolazioni in perenne lotta tra di loro, la classica contrapposizione buoni/cattivi. La trama risulta essere troppo lunga, soprattutto la prima parte che è a tratti veramente pesante, dove l'autrice approfondisce troppo i "dubbi esistenziali" del suo protagonista, che si traducono in continui periodi interrogativi, retti da domande sopra domande, in merito agli eventi che stanno accadendo.
Quando qualcosa comincia a muoversi in questa "casa dei mondi", la trama diventa più avvincente, ma praticamente tutto ciò avviene alla fine del libro, fuori tempo massimo. Sicuramente non il suo romanzo migliore, si fa leggere senza infamia e senza lode. Tipica lettura d'evasione senza alcun impegno.
Presto dimenticato.
April 22, 2011
I'm a big fan of Marion Zimmer Bradley's work, so when I ran across this book in a bag of donations I was quite excited. A piece I'd never read before: hooray!
Well, it just wasn't as good as some of her earlier (and later) work, in my opinion. "The House Between The Worlds" is the story of Cameron Fenton, a PhD researcher at UC Berkeley's fictitious Parapsychology Department. While conducting a supervised trial of Antaril, a drug that enhances ESP, Fenton finds himself in the land of the Alfar -- the Faerie Folk.
From then on, it's like Thomas the Rhymer/Tam Lin suddenly has the ability to go back and forth between the realms -- and, of course, no one in his own time believes him about what is happening.
Okay, but just not a favorite.
Well, it just wasn't as good as some of her earlier (and later) work, in my opinion. "The House Between The Worlds" is the story of Cameron Fenton, a PhD researcher at UC Berkeley's fictitious Parapsychology Department. While conducting a supervised trial of Antaril, a drug that enhances ESP, Fenton finds himself in the land of the Alfar -- the Faerie Folk.
From then on, it's like Thomas the Rhymer/Tam Lin suddenly has the ability to go back and forth between the realms -- and, of course, no one in his own time believes him about what is happening.
Okay, but just not a favorite.
December 19, 2019
A great old world novel, well almost old, I’ve travelled between space and time in different dimensions. I theme covered many times since and possibly before when I remember back, but still always interesting and enjoyable.
And this one is based around university in California, go figure, where else would it be based. Was drug trials and parapsychology causing all kinds of mischief to happen. Peoples close minded end up being exploded open and the way they do not wish to have happened. A real fun read.
Marion is a Bradley is one of my favourite authors, especially as she was the first one that introduced me to fantasy which I followed on with many other great authors. So with a tender heart I look forward to the next read or reread of her writings. Do read it is enjoyable and so much fun.
And this one is based around university in California, go figure, where else would it be based. Was drug trials and parapsychology causing all kinds of mischief to happen. Peoples close minded end up being exploded open and the way they do not wish to have happened. A real fun read.
Marion is a Bradley is one of my favourite authors, especially as she was the first one that introduced me to fantasy which I followed on with many other great authors. So with a tender heart I look forward to the next read or reread of her writings. Do read it is enjoyable and so much fun.
November 14, 2012
It was ok...the whole psychological fantasy/SF thing kind of drives me crazy. Mental powers and drugs and all that. Can't we just go to fairyland without taking illegal mind-altering substances? : ) At least it had a strong female character. But the political chitchat about marijuana being legal in CA and filling up cars with "alcohol" kept breaking my concentration. Instead of actual action, a lot of the plot was taken up by the main character's agonies, first over whether anything he experienced was real, and second over how to convince anyone else that it was real.
October 13, 2010
I am really enjoying this book! It's not, you know, Great Books or anything, but it's a fun ride.....
Well, after actually reading the whole thing, I agree with someone else here who said this was a long, drawn-out short story. I hate it when authors repeat themselves.... when the character continually "remembers" and reflects on things that happened earlier in the narrative. FILLER! Yawn....
Well, after actually reading the whole thing, I agree with someone else here who said this was a long, drawn-out short story. I hate it when authors repeat themselves.... when the character continually "remembers" and reflects on things that happened earlier in the narrative. FILLER! Yawn....
June 29, 2013
A nice read from MZB. I don't like it as much as her other books, the personal journey most of her characters depart on was less apparent here. Though it becomes more and more clear to me that the theme of the 'scientific rational person' who learns about paranormal and magical realities and learns to open his or her mind is a recurring one in all of her books on many levels.
The character development in this book wasn't that strong, but it was still a nice holiday read
The character development in this book wasn't that strong, but it was still a nice holiday read
June 25, 2018
A good popcorn fantasy read.
Have to agree with many other reviewers comments: lots of cool female characters who never really get to shine in the story, researchers who show their own bias that they complain about in others, some repetition to pad out the story, a main character who doesn't tell others key things about their enemy.
...but with all that, the story flows, and I enjoyed the delve into semi-connected mirror portal worlds. Would make a good D&D campaign.
Have to agree with many other reviewers comments: lots of cool female characters who never really get to shine in the story, researchers who show their own bias that they complain about in others, some repetition to pad out the story, a main character who doesn't tell others key things about their enemy.
...but with all that, the story flows, and I enjoyed the delve into semi-connected mirror portal worlds. Would make a good D&D campaign.
March 17, 2013
A university professor during an experience with some drugs supposed to enhance ESP finds himself in another world, where "elves" and "monsters" exist. But when he wakes, how could he know whether all was real, and he should indeed save every world from destruction?
March 21, 2013
Another insipid Bradley male running around after promising women about whom we never learn much. She builds interesting worlds and good plots, and I like her writing. Unfortunately, I'm going to have to give up for a while until I determine which of her books have more appealing characters.
February 8, 2015
Bought and read this many, many years ago and can't find it amongst my books, which means I either loaned it and never got it back OR it's buried in a box in the attic. Either way, I need to procure another copy.
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