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Jupiter # 41: XLI Aoede (magazine review).

10 years have now passed since the first issue of ‘Jupiter’ came into being and it is still going strong. Quite a landmark, an example of consistency and determination, and with quality fiction oozing out of the pages, the tradition has been maintained with issue 41. We’ve got five excellent stories to read and also a colour cover as well.

Jupiter41mag

Andrew Darlington starts the proceedings with ‘The New Flesh’. How will we look at ourselves in a century or so? Maybe we are looking at it here in this story? In a world that has been devastated by climate change, the environment is much different from what we accept today. In this world, new societies have emerged, some of it like the old regime of the Soviet Empire and why not because Siberia has changed in the warmer climate to become a garden of plenty. While that’s okay, down south it’s a different story with searing heat and dried up seas of crystallised salts. There is a hierarchical caste dominated society but is this the end of human evolution? As with any change in the environment that has taken place in the past, new species adapt to survive in a new niche. In a well-written and thought-provoking story, Darlington could show us a devastating future which we should do our utmost to avoid.

Dan Pawley with ‘Worlds Together’ gave us a captivating story, right from the beginning when the main character contacts his sister to help him escape the authorities. With a touch of Philip Marlowe, his every movement is less than calculated but the suitcase he has stolen is an immediate problem which must be solved. A scientist, his work became enmeshed with the military making actions a matter of conscience versus duty. I like the way the author told his story. Very readable!

‘The Place Between Time’ by Kurt Heinrich Hyatt is a gentle story about an aged guy who regrets the loss of the love of his life. What could he do about it? Not much except sit and contemplate and, in the pleasant surroundings of the desert 50 miles out of town, he let his imagination run astray. Can’t say much more because it would spoil a great story but you will like it I’m sure.

‘White Wave Valley’ by Neil Clift. Ice truckers on a cold planet battle against the environment and strange creatures including a mole with very sharp teeth, so sharp in fact that they can be used in drill bits. Going to rescue a colleague, a man becomes entrapped himself. This was a very atmospheric tale which made you cold just reading the pages. Quite enjoyable and well crafted.

Peter C Loftus’ ‘Pam’ was a story about a pointless existence, a distillation of all we experience today when trying to contact companies through their pass-the-buck telephone lines. It was also a sad reflection on an individual who went the extra mile when it came to ordering food and was a sap slave of advertising moguls. Then he met a girl on-line but was she up to expectations? I hope the future does not end up like this but the way things are going you never know. Definitely a good story!

There we have it, another successful issue of ‘Jupiter’! Even the editor Ian Redman is beginning to think about the named satellites of Jupiter running out in the not too distant future. I’m sure it will be a problem because the magazine continues to be a success. Keep on producing the same quality and nothing will stop it from going on for another 10 years. If you haven’t encountered ‘Jupiter’ before, I would certainly give it a try but you will probably be hooked and want to read more.

Rod MacDonald

August 2013

(pub: Ian Redman, 4 Stoneleigh Mews, Yeovil, Somerset, BA21 3UT, UK. 52 A5 magazine. ISSN: 1740-2069. Price: £ 2.75 plus postage (UK). £4.99 PDF £10.00 for 4 issues (requires 1.5mb in mailbox). Also available as download for PDF and Kindle)

check out website: www.jupitersf.co.uk

One thought on “Jupiter # 41: XLI Aoede (magazine review).

  • Thanks for the review.

    Please note our address has changed to:
    4 Stoneleigh Mews, Yeovil, Somerset, BA21 3UT.

    Thanks,

    Ian

    Reply

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