Seven Out of Time
Encyclopedia
Seven out of Time is a science fiction
novel by author Arthur Leo Zagat
. It was first published in book form in 1949
by Fantasy Press
in an edition of 2,612 copies. The novel was originally serialized in the magazine Argosy
beginning in 1939.
, the narrator being a young attorney from New York called John March. While investigating the disappearance of Evelyn Rand, a young heiress, March is transported across time and space. He finds himself on a strange world which is inhabited by bizarre tentacled creatures who claim to be the descendants of the human race. There he finds Evelyn Rand, abducted as he was, and the two fall in love.
Also present are many people from history who have disappeared mysteriously, including the poet François Villon
, King Arthur
, the lost Dauphin, John Orth of Austria and the Prophet Elijah. The seven band together to confront their captors, demanding to know why they are there. Two chapters are devoted to an exposition of the rise and fall of the human race in evolutionary
terms. Despite their technological prowess, the "future men" have lost certain human qualities - including Love, Loyalty and Faith - which they now believe vital to their survival. They will stop at nothing to wrest these "secrets" from their abductees. Horrified by their inhumanity and ruthlessness, the seven vow to stop them at any cost.
As the creatures suffer an attack by mindless monsters which they themselves created, John March and Evelyn Rand are transported back to twentieth-century America. March decides to write down their experiences in the hope of changing the direction of human civilization.
Science fiction
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
novel by author Arthur Leo Zagat
Arthur Leo Zagat
Arthur Leo Zagat was an American lawyer and writer of pulp fiction and science fiction. Trained in the law, he gave it up to write professionally. Zagat is noted for his collaborations with fellow lawyer Nat Schachner. During the last two decades of his life, Zagat wrote short stories prolifically...
. It was first published in book form in 1949
1949 in literature
The year 1949 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*Arthur C. Clarke becomes Assistant Editor of Science Abstracts.*Bertrand Russell receives the Order of Merit....
by Fantasy Press
Fantasy Press
Fantasy Press was an American publishing house specialising in fantasy and science fiction titles. Established in 1946 by Lloyd Arthur Eshbach in Reading, Pennsylvania, it was most notable for publishing the works of authors such as Robert A. Heinlein and E. E. Smith...
in an edition of 2,612 copies. The novel was originally serialized in the magazine Argosy
Argosy (magazine)
Argosy was an American pulp magazine, published by Frank Munsey. It is generally considered to be the first American pulp magazine. The magazine began as a general information periodical entitled The Golden Argosy, targeted at the boys adventure market.-Launch of Argosy:In late September 1882,...
beginning in 1939.
Plot summary
The novel is written in the form of a first-person narrativeFirst-person narrative
First-person point of view is a narrative mode where a story is narrated by one character at a time, speaking for and about themselves. First-person narrative may be singular, plural or multiple as well as being an authoritative, reliable or deceptive "voice" and represents point of view in the...
, the narrator being a young attorney from New York called John March. While investigating the disappearance of Evelyn Rand, a young heiress, March is transported across time and space. He finds himself on a strange world which is inhabited by bizarre tentacled creatures who claim to be the descendants of the human race. There he finds Evelyn Rand, abducted as he was, and the two fall in love.
Also present are many people from history who have disappeared mysteriously, including the poet François Villon
François Villon
François Villon was a French poet, thief, and vagabond. He is perhaps best known for his Testaments and his Ballade des Pendus, written while in prison...
, King Arthur
King Arthur
King Arthur is a legendary British leader of the late 5th and early 6th centuries, who, according to Medieval histories and romances, led the defence of Britain against Saxon invaders in the early 6th century. The details of Arthur's story are mainly composed of folklore and literary invention, and...
, the lost Dauphin, John Orth of Austria and the Prophet Elijah. The seven band together to confront their captors, demanding to know why they are there. Two chapters are devoted to an exposition of the rise and fall of the human race in evolutionary
Human evolution
Human evolution refers to the evolutionary history of the genus Homo, including the emergence of Homo sapiens as a distinct species and as a unique category of hominids and mammals...
terms. Despite their technological prowess, the "future men" have lost certain human qualities - including Love, Loyalty and Faith - which they now believe vital to their survival. They will stop at nothing to wrest these "secrets" from their abductees. Horrified by their inhumanity and ruthlessness, the seven vow to stop them at any cost.
As the creatures suffer an attack by mindless monsters which they themselves created, John March and Evelyn Rand are transported back to twentieth-century America. March decides to write down their experiences in the hope of changing the direction of human civilization.