And of course, he was a writer of a number of science fiction and fantasy stories. He was a major writer for Campbell’s Unknown Worlds and Astounding in the 1940s, with stories and poems appearing under the names Anthony Boucher, H. H. Holmes, and Herman W. Mudgett. Sometimes, a single issue of a magazine would feature both a Boucher story and a Holmes story. Many of his early stories, such as “Snulbug” and “The Compleat Werewolf”, were humorous, though with a distinctly humanist touch, often reminiscent of Frank Capra with an occasional touch of screwball comedy. But he also investigated more serious topics. “The Quest for Saint Aquin,” perhaps his best story, is a probing examination of religious faith. “Balaam” examines religion from another angle and looks at the ultimate sacrifice. Other stories, written ciuring World War II or soon after, examine fascist or statist societies. “One-Way Trip” and “Barrier” both look at, though from very different angles, fascism, stagnant societies, and the need for individuality.
The stories are diverse. There are wry little horror stories like “Mr. Lupescu.” There are even grimmer horror stories like “They Bite” or “The Pink Caterpillar.” There are robot stories like “Q.U.R.” and “Robinc” and cautionary tales like “We Print the Truth.” There are recursive stories (stories about science fiction)—“Pelagic Spark” and “Transfer Point.” We have a Sherlock Holmes story of sorts: “The Greatest Tertian.’’There is even the sequel to a Nathaniel Hawthorne story, the previously unpublished “Rappaccini’s Other Daughter.”
Many of the stories included here have never before been included in a Boucher collection. Some have not appeared since their original appearance in the magazines. It’s a pleasure to bring them back into print.
So, read, and enjoy. And then go out and look for some of Boucher’s mysteries. Several of them, including Rocket to the Morgue, are still in print and available in some of the better bookstores.
A note on the order of the stories: Many readers are curious about the order of the stories in a collection: Why did the editor choose that order? This book leads of with “The Quest for Saint Aquin,” which is not only Boucher’s best but which was not included in either of the two previous Boucher collections (though the Science Fiction Writers of America chose it to appear in The Science Fiction Hall of Fame). It’s followed by another Boucher great, “The Compleat Werewolf.” That story introduced the character of Fergus O’Breen, who appears in the four stories that follow. The two stories after that (“Sribidigibit” and “The Ambassadors”) make passing reference to “The Compleat Werewolf.” The two robot stories follow, then “Nine-Finger Jack,” which Boucher considered one of his best. From there till near the end the order is somewhat arbitrary, based on what I though would be a good order. The book ends with “We Print the Truth,” a long, impressive story, and “Mary Celestial,” the only story in the book Boucher didn’t write alone—he coauthored it with Miriam Allen DeFord.
The Compleat
Boucher
Special Note
Despite several attempts, we were unable to track down the agent for the estate of Miriam Allen deFord. If the agent for the state reads this, please contact us. We will be glad to pay standard royalties for the story co-authored by her.
The Quest for Saint Aquin
The Bishop of Rome, the head of the Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, the Vicar of Christ on Earth—in short, the Pope—brushed a cockroach from the filthencrusted wooden table, took another sip of the raw red wine, and resumed his discourse.
“In some respects, Thomas,” he smiled, “we are stronger now than when we flourished in the liberty and exaltation for which we still pray after Mass. We know, as they knew in the catacombs, that those who are of our flock are indeed truly of it; that they belong to Holy Mother the Church because they believe in the brotherhood of man under the fatherhood of God—not because they can further their political aspirations, their social ambitions, their business contacts.”
“‘Not of the will of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God . . .’” Thomas quoted softly from St. John.
The Pope nodded. “We are, in a way, born again in Christ; but there are still too few of us—too few even if we include those other handfuls who are not of our faith, but still acknowledge God through the teachings of Luther or Lao-tse, Gautama Buddha or Joseph Smith. Too many men still go to their deaths hearing no gospel preached to them but the cynical self-worship of the Technarchy. And that is why, Thomas, you must go forth on your quest.”
“But, Your Holiness,” Thomas protested, “if God’s word and God’s love will not convert them, what can saints and miracles do?”
“I seem to recall,” murmured the Pope, “that God’s own Son once made a similar protest. But human nature, however illogical it may seem, is part of His design, and we must cater to it. If signs and wonders can lead souls to God, then by all means let us find the signs and wonders. And what can be better for the purpose than this legendary Aquin? Come now, Thomas; be not too scrupulously exact in copying the doubts of your namesake, but prepare for your journey.”
The Pope lifted the skin that covered the doorway and passed into the next room, with
Thomas frowning at his heels. It was past legal hours and the main room of the tavern
