This is an old book and the style is typical of its time, around the turn of the 20th century. And it is a very very good book, with lots of practical information and little psuedo-scientific gobbldygook that a lot of writers then and now insisted and insist on including. (If I see one more utter misinterpretation of quantum mechanics used to explain things that just don't explain well I will unleash an unaccustomed stream of obscenities.)
He WAS getting paid by the word! All the pulp authors were, which is why you find that overblown language in a lot of work from his time.
I actually rather enjoy Merritt and The Moon Pool is a delightfully weird story set in an amazingly weird place. If I have only one criticism of his writing it is that he seems unwilling to write a happy ending. Obviously he read too much Victor Hugo in his misspent youth.
This is a brilliant work, not only for its depiction of the anarchists and their awe-inspiring Professor, but also in the way the mind of the constabulary is disected.
Sounds like good, Victorian nonsense, but we are still experimenting with this stuff, only we don't call it Mesmerism anymore. We call it remote influence.
Political philosophy well masked as a rollicking adventure story. Anyone who thinks that there is something sacred about democracy will get a healthy shock from this book.
When I first read this story back in 1966 it was unpleasant, but just too damned weird to take seriously. Fast-forward 41 years and surprise--it's coming true! I have friends that I have never seen and I even give short lectures on youtube!
People talk by interphone and webcam.
It will make your hair stand on end, no question about it.
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I actually rather enjoy Merritt and The Moon Pool is a delightfully weird story set in an amazingly weird place. If I have only one criticism of his writing it is that he seems unwilling to write a happy ending. Obviously he read too much Victor Hugo in his misspent youth.
People talk by interphone and webcam.
It will make your hair stand on end, no question about it.