Russell uses other Fortean paraphernalia: the Fortean magazine Doubt is mentioned, and, after the knowledge of the Viton’s existence is widely disseminated, the U.S.
It is suggested at one point that humanity is a cattle species brought by the Vitons to Earth from elsewhere.)īut Russell wraps up a lot more Fortean items in his story: the wonders and miracles of psychics and religious figures may be a Viton disinformation campaign to discredit paranormal observations (sort of the “occult police” idea from Fort’s Lo!) ball lightening is dying Vitons UFOs are observed Vitons (Russell may have pioneered the idea of alien abduction in this book) odd coincidences of death and odd disappearances the allegedly superstitious coastal dwellers and sailors are able, because of a diet high in iodine, able to see the Vitons more often feelings of dread may be Viton tendrils drinking your emotions. (And the question as to the origin - extraterrestrials or native to Earth - of the Vitons is never answered. The whole premise is taken from Fort’s remark that “I think we’re property.” Russell mostly uses the metaphor of humanity as cows to serve alien masters, our emotions of violence and anger and agony being milk and meat to them. Not only is he explicitly mentioned in the first paragraph, but the novel may be the most Fortean of all sf works. Sinister Barrier - After first reading this novel about 15 years ago, and I read it over again because, having recently read the works of Charles Fort, I wanted to spot the full amount of his influence on this novel. Chalker also talks about Russell’s interest in Charles Fort’s works and the debt this novel owes Fort as well as Russell’s involvement with British Forteans. It was published in the first issue of the fantasy magazine Campbell started, Unknown. Campbell’s favorite short story writers before writing, at Campbell’s suggestion, his first novel, Sinister Barrier. Chalker - Brief introduction about Eric Frank Russell, who was one of John W. Raw Feed (2002): Sinister Barrier, Eric Frank Russell, 1939, 1948?. Since I covered another Russell novel in the last post, here’s another. Presumably, I’m off actually catching up on making my notes for my next article.
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