UN AUTRE MONDE (Another World) – This 1895 story was written by Belgium’s revered pioneer in science fiction – J.H. Rosny, real name Joseph Henri Boex. I went with the French title because a while back I reviewed another work of ancient science fiction that also bore the title Another World.
The author set the story in Swartzendam in the Netherlands. The entire tale is told from the point of view of a mutant humanoid. The mutant – named Karel Ondereet – has violet skin and very fine violet hair. He is very thin and his eyes become more and more opaque as he matures, but he can see through solid objects and far beyond the clouds.
Despite this, his mother is very affectionate toward him as is a “normal” younger sister who comes along years later. His father is wary of the purple-skinned child and always remains aloof.
Karel has amazing reflexes and can move at incredible speeds. Though his arms are much less strong than normal human children, his leg muscles let him easily leap to the upper branches of trees or the roofs of barns and houses. Continue reading
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