Books: The Science-Fiction Situation

NEW MAPS OF HELL (161 pp.)—Kingsley Amis—Harcourf, Brace ($3.95).

The existence of a hard-cover monograph by a respectable author in praise of science fiction poses a question: Are science-fiction addicts still to be classed with such pariahs as matchbook collectors, astrologers, dog breeders, philatelists, health foodists and canasta bugs? Or have they gained the social level of horse players ($50 and $100 windows), opera lovers, physicists, bridge careerists and sports-car nuts? British Novelist Kingsley (Lucky Jim) Amis, a science-fiction addict since he was twelve, speaks with dignity in behalf of his fellow incurables....

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