Slan

Slan

Infobox Book
name = Slan
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = First edition by Arkham House. Cover by Robert E. Hubbell
author = A. E. van Vogt
illustrator =
cover_artist = Robert E. Hubbell
country = United States
language = English
series =
genre = Science fiction novel
publisher = Arkham House
release_date = 1946
english_release_date =
media_type = Print (Hardback)
pages = 216 pp
isbn = NA
preceded_by =
followed_by = :"Slan is also the name of a character in Berserk (manga); for the Irish phrase see Slán Abhaile"

"Slan" is a science fiction novel written by A. E. van Vogt, as well as the name of the fictional race of superbeings featured in the novel. The novel was originally serialized in the magazine "Astounding Science Fiction" (September - December 1940). It was subsequently published in hardcover in 1946 by Arkham House, in an edition of 4,051 copies.

Plot summary

Slans are artificially evolved humans, named after their alleged creator, Samuel Lann. They have the psychic abilities to read minds and are super-intelligent. They possess near limitless stamina, "nerves of steel", and superior strength and speed. When Slans are ill or seriously injured, they go into a healing trance automatically.

There are two kinds of Slans. One has tendrils and can read the minds of ordinary humans and telepathically communicate with other Slans. The tendrils are golden in colour thus making it easy to spot a slan. These Slans are hunted to near extinction. The other type of Slan is tendrilless. They are still super intelligent but do not have psychic capabilities, only the ability to hide their thoughts from the first type of Slan. Kier Gray is the leader of the human society and promises to exterminate the Slans. As the novel begins, Jommy Cross (a telepathic Slan of the first type) is brought with his mother to the capital, Centropolis. They are both discovered, and Jommy's mother is killed. Jommy is only nine years old and manages to escape. Jommy Cross is not only the heir to the brilliant inventions of his father, but he represents the last hope of his race to save it from genocide. Because of the importance of his mission, he is opposed by various enemies. Jommy seeks to destroy Kier and in confronting him discovers a terrible secret - that Kier Gray is also a Slan.

equel

Lydia van Vogt, A. E. van Vogt's widow, and Kevin J. Anderson wrote a sequel to "Slan", titled "Slan Hunter", based on an unfinished draft by van Vogt. It was published July 10, 2007. Lydia van Vogt has previously given permission to publish online her [http://www.dunenovels.com/dune7blog/page52.html moving introduction] which partly deals with the onset of Alzheimer's disease that van Vogt struggled with at the end of his life.

Fandom

In science fiction fandom a slogan quickly developed, "Fans are slans", comparing the perceived greater intelligence and imaginative capability of science fiction fans with the supernatural abilities of slans in the novel. Although some regard it as a symbol of fandom elitism, along with the related term mundane for non-fans, others regard it as a reaction to the perceived disapproval of science fiction or the fans of it by non-readers/non-fans.

External links

* [http://www.allscifi.com/topics/info_17082.asp Slan by A.E. Van Vogt Detailed Book Review]

References

*cite book | last=Jaffery | first=Sheldon | authorlink=Sheldon Jaffery | title=The Arkham House Companion | location=Mercer Island, WA | publisher=Starmont House, Inc.| pages=20-22| date=1989 | id=ISBN 1-55742-005-X
*cite book | last=Chalker | first=Jack L. | authorlink=Jack L. Chalker | coauthors=Mark Owings | title=The Science-Fantasy Publishers: A Bibliographic History, 1923-1998 | location=Westminster, MD and Baltimore | publisher=Mirage Press, Ltd.| pages=29-30 | date=1998
*cite book | last=Joshi | first=S.T. | title=Sixty Years of Arkham House: A History and Bibliography | location=Sauk City, WI | publisher=Arkham House| pages=37-38 | date=1999 | id=ISBN 0-87054-176-5
*cite book | last=Nielsen | first=Leon | title=Arkham House Books: A Collector's Guide | location=Jefferson, NC and London | publisher=McFarland & Company, Inc.| pages=60 | date=2004 | id=ISBN 0-7864-1785-4


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  • slan´der|ous|ly — slan|der|ous «SLAN duhr uhs, druhs; SLAHN », adjective. 1. of, containing, or involving slander or a slander: »slanderous words. SYNONYM(S): calumnious, defamatory. 2. speaking or spreading slanders: »Done to death by slanderous tongues… …   Useful english dictionary

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  • Slán Abhaile — is an Irish phrase used to bid goodbye to someone who is travelling home. A literal translation is Safe Home , which is used in the same way in Hiberno English. Slán ( safe ) is used in many Irish language farewell formulas; abhaile means… …   Wikipedia

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