Jump to content

Talk:The Skylark of Space: Difference between revisions

Page contents not supported in other languages.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
Editions: new section
Dd-b (talk | contribs)
Confirm synopsis has details wrong
Line 9: Line 9:


I have a 1974 Panther edition, which does say that it was specially revised by the author. The question is whether the write-up is in error or do the editions vary significantly. I recognise the plot synopsis but details differ; for instance, the "copper tub" that "blasts hole through the wall" in my edition was a "copper steam-bath" that flew "through the open window". A missing steam-bath would require some explanation but a great hole in the wall could hardly go unnoticed, so as a revision it makes sense. [[Special:Contributions/86.162.192.240|86.162.192.240]] ([[User talk:86.162.192.240|talk]]) 23:44, 15 February 2012 (UTC)
I have a 1974 Panther edition, which does say that it was specially revised by the author. The question is whether the write-up is in error or do the editions vary significantly. I recognise the plot synopsis but details differ; for instance, the "copper tub" that "blasts hole through the wall" in my edition was a "copper steam-bath" that flew "through the open window". A missing steam-bath would require some explanation but a great hole in the wall could hardly go unnoticed, so as a revision it makes sense. [[Special:Contributions/86.162.192.240|86.162.192.240]] ([[User talk:86.162.192.240|talk]]) 23:44, 15 February 2012 (UTC)

Aspects of this plot synopsis do not match the magazine version (the Gutenberg edition is based on my scans of a friend's copies of the magazines, and I still have the images to verify against), the second edition hardcover (which I own), or the 1960s American paperbacks (which I own and nearly know by heart :-) ). The first paragraph of the magazine edition contains the copper vessel departing at speed, and the magazine version says this: "PETRIFIED with astonishment. Richard
Seaton stared after the copper steam-bath
upon which he had been electrolyzing his
solution of X, the unknown metal. For
as soon as he had removed the beaker the
heavy bath had jumped endwise from under his hand as
though it were alive. It had flown with terrific speed
over the table. smashing apparatus and bottles of chemicals
on its way, and was even now disappearing through
the open window." It's a ''steam-bath'' just like in your edition, and it goes through the open ''window'', not the wall. The 1947 edition is the same in the key things you questioned -- it's called a steam-bath, and it goes through an open window (there are quite a few little changes). So I'm going to try to change the wrong details in the synopsis just a bit. [[User:Dd-b|Dd-b]] ([[User talk:Dd-b|talk]]) 18:55, 27 January 2013 (UTC)

Revision as of 18:55, 27 January 2013

WikiProject iconNovels: Sci-fi Start‑class Mid‑importance
WikiProject iconThis article is within the scope of WikiProject Novels, an attempt to build a comprehensive and detailed guide to novels, novellas, novelettes and short stories on Wikipedia. If you would like to participate, please visit the project page, where you can join the project and contribute to the general Project discussion to talk over new ideas and suggestions.
StartThis article has been rated as Start-class on Wikipedia's content assessment scale.
MidThis article has been rated as Mid-importance on the project's importance scale.
Taskforce icon
This article is supported by Science fiction task force.

Editions

I have a 1974 Panther edition, which does say that it was specially revised by the author. The question is whether the write-up is in error or do the editions vary significantly. I recognise the plot synopsis but details differ; for instance, the "copper tub" that "blasts hole through the wall" in my edition was a "copper steam-bath" that flew "through the open window". A missing steam-bath would require some explanation but a great hole in the wall could hardly go unnoticed, so as a revision it makes sense. 86.162.192.240 (talk) 23:44, 15 February 2012 (UTC)[reply]

Aspects of this plot synopsis do not match the magazine version (the Gutenberg edition is based on my scans of a friend's copies of the magazines, and I still have the images to verify against), the second edition hardcover (which I own), or the 1960s American paperbacks (which I own and nearly know by heart :-) ). The first paragraph of the magazine edition contains the copper vessel departing at speed, and the magazine version says this: "PETRIFIED with astonishment. Richard Seaton stared after the copper steam-bath upon which he had been electrolyzing his solution of X, the unknown metal. For as soon as he had removed the beaker the heavy bath had jumped endwise from under his hand as though it were alive. It had flown with terrific speed over the table. smashing apparatus and bottles of chemicals on its way, and was even now disappearing through the open window." It's a steam-bath just like in your edition, and it goes through the open window, not the wall. The 1947 edition is the same in the key things you questioned -- it's called a steam-bath, and it goes through an open window (there are quite a few little changes). So I'm going to try to change the wrong details in the synopsis just a bit. Dd-b (talk) 18:55, 27 January 2013 (UTC)[reply]