''The World Below'' is a

science fiction Science fiction (often shortened to sci-fi or abbreviated SF) is a genre of speculative fiction that deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts. These concepts may include information technology and robotics, biological manipulations, space ...

novel by

British British may refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * British people, nationals or natives of the United Kingdom, British Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies. * British national identity, the characteristics of British people and culture ...

writer S. Fowler Wright. It was first published in

1929 This year marked the end of a period known in American history as the Roaring Twenties after the Wall Street Crash of 1929 ushered in a worldwide Great Depression. In the Americas, an agreement was brokered to end the Cristero War, a Catholic ...

by Collins. The novel was originally intended as a trilogy, but the third part was never written. The first part was originally published separately as ''The Amphibians'' by Merton Press in 1924. The second part was published separately by''

Galaxy Science Fiction Novels ''Galaxy novels'', sometimes titled ''Galaxy Science Fiction Novels'', were a series of mostly reprint American science fiction novels published between 1950 and 1961. The series was started by H.L. Gold, the editor of ''Galaxy Science Fiction'' ...

'' in 1951 and was also titled ''The World Below''.

Plot summary

The novel concerns a man who travels 500,000 years into the future with the aid of a time machine. There he encounters a race of intelligent furry beings, the Amphibians. With their help he explores the planet and is eventually captured by the Dwellers, intelligent giants who direct the destiny of the continent where he had arrived.

Critical reception

Boucher and McComas praised the 1949 edition, citing its "sociological criticism, spiritual stimulation and satire of high order." In 1950

L. Sprague de Camp Lyon Sprague de Camp (; November 27, 1907 – November 6, 2000) was an American author of science fiction, Fantasy literature, fantasy and non-fiction literature. In a career spanning 60 years, he wrote over 100 books, both novels and works of ...

characterized it as "one of the most remarkable science-fiction stories ever written," saying that "For atmosphere the book is absolutely unsurpassed, and for exciting action it rates high." de Camp, however, also faulted the novel's "long philosophical arguments" in dialogue between its hero and his non-human companion, particularly their "straw-man" elements."Book Review", ''

Astounding Science Fiction ''Analog Science Fiction and Fact'' is an American science fiction magazine published under various titles since 1930. Originally titled ''Astounding Stories of Super-Science'', the first issue was dated January 1930, published by William C ...

'', April 1950, pp.143–45

References

Sources

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External links

* * 1929 British novels 1929 science fiction novels British science fiction novels Novels by S. Fowler Wright Novels about time travel Novels set in the future Works about the future William Collins, Sons books Longman books {{1920s-sf-novel-stub