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| Slan | |
|---|---|
 First edition by Arkham House. Cover by Robert E. Hubbell |
|
| Author | A. E. van Vogt |
| Cover artist | Robert E. Hubbell |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre(s) | Science fiction novel |
| Publisher | Arkham House |
| Publication date | 1946 |
| Media type | Print (Hardback) |
| Pages | 216 pp |
| ISBN | NA |
- Slan is also the name of a character in Berserk (manga); for the Irish phrase see Slán Abhaile
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]
Contents |
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.
"Fans are slans"
In science fiction fandom a slogan quickly developed, "Fans are slans"[1][2], comparing 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.
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.[3]
Sources
- Jaffery, Sheldon (1989). The Arkham House Companion. Mercer Island, WA: 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, MD and Baltimore: Mirage Press, Ltd.. pp. 29–30.
- Joshi, S.T. (1999). Sixty Years of Arkham House: A History and Bibliography. Sauk City, WI: Arkham House. pp. 37–38. ISBN 0-87054-176-5.
- Nielsen, Leon (2004). Arkham House Books: A Collector's Guide. Jefferson, NC and London: McFarland & Company, Inc.. p. 60. ISBN 0-7864-1785-4.
References
- ^ 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"
- ^ Cirulnick, Brian. "To Terra/Toward the Terra/Terra He" anime.com September 2008
External links
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