Ralph 124C 41+ by Hugo Gernsback

Ralph 124C 41+ (one to forsee for many) by Hugo Gernsback was first published serially in "Amazing Stories" from 1911-2.  It was edited in 1925 and published in novel form in a small print run, probably also by Gernsback.  In 1950 it was printed again in a much larger print run.  I'm not sure if he edited it at all then - I'd guess not. The edition I read is from 2000 and has a forward by Jack Williamson, a writer who wrote for Gernsback's story pulps.  Published in 4 very different times; probably only edited once.  It makes me wonder what people thought of it with every printing.

Probable spoilers ahead.





It struck me as being a very innocent novel; I felt almost nostalgic for the ability to believe so strongly in absolutes; black and white. Technology solves all problems and is accepted wholeheartedly.  No ethical questions about being able to bring the dead back to life.  No shown social problems.  Few messy emotions except those associated with the plot of the love story.  I have no problems believing that this novel was written in 1911 - pre-World War I with all the social complications it wrought and the brutal technological wake-up call. Certainly not a modern novel.

Gernsback's great enthusiasm for technology and what it's future might be and how it might be used for the betterment of humanity is clearly on display.  There is an immense amount of exposition and explanation, imaginary chemical names and technological terms, and out-of-date science.  The tech is definitely one of the hearts of the novel, and, from Gernsback's point of view, probably the reason for it's existence.  Some of it almost works, a lot of it doesn't, and there's a lot of inconsistency. I'm not totally sure if the inconsistency is from my 100 years more modern knowledge, the fact that it was originally written serially with very little planning, if you believe Gernsbacks preface, or just lazy writing.  Regardless, beyond an obvious love affair with electricity and an assumption of ether, it ends up not so much being a holistic view of the technology of the society as being a glimpse of various inventions with a high coolness factor, at least in the eyes of the author.

What this novel would do well is fulfill Gernsback's avowed purpose of stimulating other inventors.  Most of the gadgets are interesting and very imaginative, and fulfill a basic societal need - transportation, food, medicine, communication. This came from his "Modern Electrics" days and the contests he'd hold for the best story showcasing an interesting use of a current invention or some variant thereof.  The inventors were his peeps and this novel was obviously for them.

The non-technological elements, other than the love story, are less interesting, and obviously second thoughts or not thought about at all. His social forecasting is abysmal; there are no equal rights for women and there's still a very Edwardian classism - it basically reads as an Edwardian society with prettier gadgets.  You get the sense this was not a deliberate choice, it was just how things were in 1911 and he wasn't interested in delving into anything different.  The internal consistency is spotty, as is consistency in the way the technology is applied.  The enthusiasm for the tech and it's use overrides some of its obvious consequences - let's electrify a New York City paved with metal with 10 minutes warning.  Huh?  It's obviously a Mary Sue - Gernsback is self-inserting himself as the main character.  He is Ralph 124C 41+ - scientist-hero extraordinaire.  

There is the interplanetary love story, which is predictable, but not without charm.  This is the secondary heart of the story; the attempt to add human interest. It doesn't work very well because the characters are not 3-dimensional, and are hard to like, let alone care about.  The emotions don't ring true.

My final impression is that this is worth reading because of its place in the SF canon (it helps that it's so short and not at all deep - a quick read).  There is a certain charm to it - both to the love story and the vast enthusiasm over the technological wonders.  There's quite a bit of unintentional humor. It's a little pompous, and a lot expositional.  This particular edition includes black & white reproductions of the Frank R. Paul cover illustrations for the original "Amazing Stories" serial.  Those are worth seeing. I'm glad I read it once, but I don't think I'll be going back to it.