Triplanetary
Author: E.E. "Doc" Smith
Year: 1948
Abstract:
This first novel in the Lensmen series lays down the groundwork for man's exploration of the galaxy. We are introduced to
the Arisians and the Eddorians and their ages old conflict. The book consists of a short history of the Tellurians (Earth
based humans), an introduction to several scientists who play key roles in the production of the technology that allows the
Tellurians access to the galaxy, and a conflict with a neighboring race of aliens (the Nevians).
This book first appeared as a serial in Amazing Stories in 1934.
| Advanced Mind |  |
| Exploration/Quest | |
| Military/Fighting | |
| Horror | |
| Magic | |
| Advanced Technology | |
| Time Travel/Alternate History | |
| Science | |
| Aliens/Beasties | |
| Contemporality |
Other books in this series: Chronicles of the Lensman
First Lensmen [1950]
Galactic Patrol [1950]
Gray Lensman [1951]
Second Stage Lensmen [1953]
Children of the Lens [1954]
tyranist's Review
Except for the somewhat confusing first section of the book, Smith leads us through alien encounters and quickly advancing
technology to set up the rest of his series. The technology is fun and mostly fundamentally sound. The characters are vivid
and memorable. The aliens are twisted in the old way (most of his alien descriptions have me picturing something out of
Lovecraft). The storytelling is actually quite good once you leave the first section.
My problems with the first section lie in the fact that they really give us very little. There is some introduction the the
Arisians and Eddorians that is useful, but all of the strange earth history stuff can go. It just doesn't fit with the tone
of the novel and is so disconnected with the timeline that it is glaringly out of place.
Once past that section, however, the book picks up and moves quite quickly. It is a short book to begin with, but the end
comes almost before you are ready for it. Still, all is resolved when it does come even though there are still five books
to read.