Detour to Otherness

Tales of Science-Fantasy and Terror

Plot

In 1961, Ballantine Books published Bypass to Otherness, a paperback collection of some of Henry Kuttner's (and C. L. Moore's) best short stories. Several selections were drawn from Kuttner's popular series such as the "Hogbens" (comedic otherworldly hillbillies living in America), "Gallagher Galloway" (scientist who invents technical marvels only when intoxicated), and the "Baldies" stories eventually collected in Mutant. Bypass was projected as the first of three Otherness collections of Kuttner's short fiction. Return to Otherness followed in 1962 with 8 more stories. And then . . . nothing. The third Otherness collection never appeared.Now, almost fifty years later, Haffner Press announces DETOUR TO OTHERNESS: a massive hardcover assembling the contents of both Bypass to Otherness and Return to Otherness, and adding 8 additional stories selected for their scarcity, quality, and sheer entertainment value. Grand Masters Robert Silverberg and Frederik Pohl provide introductory and afterword materials to the book, and the whole affair is decorated with an unpublished painting by Richard Powers.Table of ContentsIntroduction by Robert SilverbergBypass to OthernessCold WarCall Him DemonThe Dark AngelThe Piper's SonAbsalomThe Little ThingsNothing but Gingerbread LeftHousing ProblemReturn to OthernessSee You LaterThis Is the HouseThe Proud RobotGallegher PlusThe Ego MachineAndroidThe Sky Is FallingJuke-BoxDetour to OthernessOpen SecretAll Is IllusionRite of PassageBaby FaceHappy EndingThe Children's HourDream's EndNear MissAfterword by Frederik Pohl