posted on 07 Jul 2021

Amen and Out by Brian W. Aldiss

The old cliché of the author who is a ‘writer’s writer’ – admired by their peers but not necessarily well-known to the wider public -  is probably an adage that could be attached to Brian Aldiss despite the fact that in the world of science fiction he had a pretty hard-core and dedicated readership. By the time he died at the ripe old age of 92 in 2017 he had produced a huge range of novels and a positive mountain of short stories; not all were in the science fiction genre but it was in this field that he was held in the highest esteem.

It’s true that he doesn’t have the megastar appeal of Isaac Asimov, Philip K. Dick, Arthur C. Clarke and some of the other titans of sci-fi but amongst the cognoscenti, Aldiss’ name is gold dust and his writer-peers talk of his talents with considerable awe.

Aldiss had a considerable hand in saving and establishing the science fiction journal, New Worlds and in August 1966 it published ‘Amen and Out’ which was to became one of his signature short stories, perfectly showcasing his unique voice and his unmistakable style.

Perhaps the defining characteristic of Aldiss’ best short stories is their humour and the way they so skilfully explore some of the deepest questions of philosophy. Or, as the jacket of this collection quite rightly claims, (this short story is) “irreverent, thought-provoking stuff that only Aldiss can do well.”

Amen and Out is set in the 22nd century and explores the seemingly undying need for humanity to find something to worship while at the same time maintaining levels of hypocrisy and decadence that can be breathtaking. The society Aldiss conjures up for us here is a world in which science and faith have come together to worship the wisdom of the computer. The computer screen becomes a portable shrine that can be consulted at any time its owner needs guidance and direction. But where does this computer wisdom come from? Well, this is also a society that keeps thousands of ‘Immys’ – ancient human beings (immortals or immys) being kept alive in virtual prison-like conditions to provide their thoughts and ideas to inspire future generations:

“Not a man or woman was less than one hundred and eighty years old. They resembled planed wood planks with the grain standing out strongly, so covered were their skins with the strange whorls and markings that represented the hall-marks of immortality.”

And although the authorities insist that they are not prisoners, none of these Immys has ever left the facility that houses them and keeps them hosed in rehydrating water. So what happens when the distinctly hippish, Otto Jack Pommy – ‘old acid head’ as he describes himself – decides that it’s time for things to change and encourages one of the old men, Palmer, to demand his freedom?

I can’t quite remember where I read it but I’ve seen it said that one of the most outstanding features of Aldiss’ world view is that it’s never mean-spirited or vituperative even though he’s clearly writing stuff that satirises some of humanities less admirable characteristics. I think that Amen and Out very much embodies this truth and he delivers a big punch in an admirably economical way.

You’ll find the collections of his short stories that will include this one but why not try and get hold of the 1966 New Worlds original with its fabulously atmospheric, vintage jacket art – it’s not an expensive thing to track down and you’ll get half a dozen additional stories in the same volume.

 

Terry Potter

July 2021