Slan Information
Slan is a science fiction novel written by A. E. van Vogt, as well as the name of the fictional race of superbeings featured in the novel. The novel was originally serialized in the magazine Astounding Science Fiction (September - December 1940). It was subsequently published in hardcover in 1946 by Arkham House, in an edition of 4,051 copies.
Lydia van Vogt, A. E. van Vogt's widow, and Kevin J. Anderson wrote a sequel to Slan, titled Slan Hunter, based on an unfinished draft by van Vogt. It was published July 10, 2007. Lydia van Vogt has previously given permission to publish online her introduction which partly deals with the onset of Alzheimer's disease that van Vogt struggled with at the end of his life.[citation needed]
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Plot
Slans are evolved humans, named after their alleged creator, Samuel Lann. They have the psychic abilities to read minds and are super-intelligent. They possess near limitless stamina, "nerves of steel", and superior strength and speed. When Slans are ill or seriously injured, they go into a healing trance automatically.
There are two kinds of Slans. One has tendrils and can read the minds of ordinary humans and telepathically communicate with other Slans. The tendrils are golden in colour thus making it easy to spot a slan. These Slans are hunted to near extinction. The other type of Slan is tendrilless. They are still super intelligent but do not have psychic capabilities, only the ability to hide their thoughts from the first type of Slan. Kier Gray is the leader of the human society and promises to exterminate the Slans. As the novel begins, Jommy Cross (a telepathic Slan of the first type) is brought with his mother to the capital, Centropolis. They are both discovered, and Jommy's mother is killed. Jommy is only nine years old and manages to escape. Jommy Cross is not only the heir to the brilliant inventions of his father, but he represents the last hope of his race to save it from genocide. Because of the importance of his mission, he is opposed by various enemies. Jommy seeks to destroy Kier and in confronting him discovers a terrible secret - that Kier Gray is also a Slan.
Reception
Groff Conklin, reviewing a 1951 edition, described Slan as "a little overblown, considerably melodramatic, but still [a] really gripping adventure story."[1]
"Fans are slans"
In science fiction fandom a slogan quickly developed, "Fans are slans",[2][3] analogizing the perceived greater intelligence and imaginative capability of science fiction fans with the supernatural abilities of slans in the novel, and their harassment by non-fans to the persecution of slans in the novel. Although some regard the usage as a symbol of fandom elitism, along with the related term mundane for non-fans, others regard it as a reaction to the perceived disapproval of science fiction or the fans of it by non-readers/non-fans. The related term "slan shack" came to be used in fanspeak to designate a house or building occupied entirely or primarily by fans. The first Slan Shack to bear that name was established in 1943 in Battle Creek, Michigan. Initial inhabitants included Al and Abby Lou Ashley, Walt Liebscher, E.E. Evans and fan artist Jack Wiedenbeck.[4]
Toward the Terra
The manga and anime series Toward the Terra is strongly influenced by Slan. Both stories feature a hero named Jommy/Jomy, who discovers that he is a member of a race of telepathic mutants who are persecuted by non-telepathic humans.[5]
Sources
- Jaffery, Sheldon (1989). The Arkham House Companion. Mercer Island, Washington: Starmont House, Inc.. pp. 20–22. ISBN 1-55742-005-X.
- Chalker, Jack L.; Mark Owings (1998). The Science-Fantasy Publishers: A Bibliographic History, 1923-1998. Westminster, Maryland and Baltimore: Mirage Press, Ltd.. pp. 29–30.
- Joshi, S.T. (1999). Sixty Years of Arkham House: A History and Bibliography. Sauk City, Wisconsin: Arkham House. pp. 37–38. ISBN 0-87054-176-5.
- Nielsen, Leon (2004). Arkham House Books: A Collector's Guide. Jefferson, North Carolina and London: McFarland & Company, Inc.. p. 60. ISBN 0-7864-1785-4.
References
- ^ "Galaxy's 5 Star Shelf", Galaxy Science Fiction, April 1952, p.120
- ^ Laney, F. Towner (1950). "Fanzine Scope", Spacewarp 36, March 1950. online reprint: "Fanzine Scope"
- ^ Eney, Richard (1959). Fancyclopedia 2, 1959, 1979, p. 63, The Mirage Press. online reprint: "Fans are Slans"
- ^ Coger, Dal. "The Legendary Slan Shack" Mimosa #22, pp. 28-30
- ^ Cirulnick, Brian. "To Terra/Toward the Terra/Terra He" anime.com September 2008
External links
- Audio review and discussion of Slan at The Science Fiction Book Review Podcast
- Slan by A.E. Van vogt Detailed Book Review
Categories: 1946 novels | Novels by A. E. van Vogt | Debut novels | Fictional mutants | Human-derived fictional species | Superhero novels | Works originally published in Analog Science Fiction and Fact | Novels first published in serial form
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