Another bad issue of Galaxy. This magazine seems to go badly downhill during this time period. I wonder if I should jump a few volumes forward in reading these? The attitudes are REALLY grating in this issue.
Man in a Sewing Machine • novelette by Joseph Wesley [as by L. J. Stecher, Jr.]
The Earth is being invaded. An inventor has designed a computer which can answer any question, but when asked how the invaders could be beaten, it answers in a riddle. The inventor then explains to his wife, ("once again, I have explained this to you so many times before...") how the FTL drive works. In detail. In extremely small detail. In about five to six mind-numbing pages. Of course, a method to prevent the invasion is found after some pondering. A badly written, overlong story with a ridiculous description of the inventor’s wife and women in general. **-
Dead-End Doctor • short story by Robert Bloch
The last psychiatrist/neurosurgeon (an unusual combination) doesn’t have any patients. All problems of mind are treated by glandular adjustments and there is no need for any psychological treatments at all. His father and grandfather were psychiatrists and he never considered any other career. Most mundane work is done by robots. When they malfunction there is serious trouble, but our hero saves the day. A stupid story, the writing is average for its time. **
The Category Inventors • novelette by Arthur Sellings
Robots have taken over all jobs. A man has lost his job and is at home feeling anxious, as he thinks it won’t be possible to find a new one. His wife (who naturally, has never worked and doesn’t even think of working and apparently her husband doesn't think wives should work either) is a bit bitchy, as there is less money (there is a government stipend enough for living though). However, if you invent a new job, you’ll get an office and a salary from the government. So, you just have to find a new useful occupation. But who defines what is useful? A pretty stupid story on many levels. **+
Trap • short story by Robert Sheckley [as by Finn O'Donnevan]
Two men are on vacation in a forest. They find a strange contraption with a “trap” sign attached to it and instructions for use. They manage to capture four strange beasts with it. The machine is a matter transmitter used by an alien with a wicked plot. If the plot would have been even slightly less stupid, this might have been a pretty tolerable story. Even the aliens manage to be condescending toward females in this issue. (Oh, this was by Sheckley. The beginning of the story DID have a strong Sheckley vibe and I thought about him. Apparently, he wasn’t happy with the story either, and used a pen name) **½
Bodyguard • novella by H. L. Gold [as by Christopher Grimm]
Body-swapping is possible and someone has stolen a body. He is being chased and is chasing someone. At the moment he is pretending to be a husband and occasionally beats the woman, who is married to the bodies owner. For some reason, the wife doesn’t go to the authorities. And then, there is a lot of plotting between characters and some lawyers about who should kill whom and why. A badly written, overlong, convoluted, confused and dull story, which is written by the editor of the magazine. I am pretty sure that it wouldn’t have been accepted if written by anyone else. The writing is on the same level as the plot. **-
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